“It’s a nice idea,” he said. “However, you may be overlooking something. How do you see the split?”

“Fifty-fifty, of course.”

“That’s the trouble.”

“That’s how it has to be. You can’t turn it down. If you can louse me up, I can do the same to you.”

The Saint smiled.

“That isn’t the point. You’re forgetting something. Remember when you were the damsel in distress, and I was all set up to be the knight in shining armor? You had the right idea then.”

“You hijacked me,” she said sultrily, “like any other crook.

“But I didn’t keep the spoils, like any other crook, he said imperturbably. “I found out how much Northwade had under paid that young inventor, and I sent him the difference — anonymously. Minus, of course, my ten-per-cent commission.”

She was not quite incredulous.

“I’ve heard stories like that about you, but I didn’t believe them.”