"I think not," Lane answered grimly. "If there's anything of that sort going about, I shall board my yacht yonder and hoist the Stars and Stripes. I shall take some getting into prison, I can tell you, and if I once get there, you'll hear about it."
"Monsieur will be much wiser to avoid trouble," the official advised.
Lane placed his hand upon the other's shoulder.
"My friend," he said, "not you or a dozen like you could make me stir from this place until I am ready, and just now I am very far from ready. See? You can go and tell those who sent you, what I say."
The emissary of the law shrugged his shoulders. His manner was stiff but resigned.
"I have delivered my message, monsieur," he announced. "Monsieur naturally must decide for himself."
He disappeared with a bow. Richard continued on his way and a few minutes later ran into Hunterleys.
"Say, did you ever hear such cheek!" he exclaimed, passing his arm through the latter's. "A little bounder stopped me in the street and has been trying to frighten me into leaving Monte Carlo, just because I broke that robber's wrist. Same Johnny that came to you, I expect. What are they up to, anyway? What do they want to get rid of us for? They ought to be jolly grateful."
Hunterleys shook his head.
"So far as I am concerned," he said, "their reasons for wanting to get rid of me are fairly obvious, I am afraid, but I must say I don't know where you come in, unless—"