"I admire you, too, sir, and you shall be my guest also," the Black Star declared.
"Allow me to decline your hospitality," said Sir Burton Banks stiffly.
"But I cannot allow you to do so," the master criminal said, chuckling. "You see, you mean money to me."
"How is that?" Sir Burton Banks demanded.
"Not your money," the Black Star said. "It has occurred to us that you two gentlemen are in this country on an important mission, and that your time is very valuable. We have an idea that, if you should be detained, certain persons and personages would pay a handsome sum for your release."
"Why, confound the fellow! He means to abduct us and hold us for ransom!" Lord Sambery exclaimed.
"You have guessed it," the Black Star said.
"But this is the United States of America, sir, and we are in one of its greatest cities! I never heard of such a thing! The idea is preposterous! You can't do it!"
"Can't we?" asked the Black Star with a laugh. "It's a very simple thing. We just render you unconscious and carry you away—and you can never be found."
"Why, you dare not!" cried Sir Burton Banks.