same time be compelled to kill me.

Still bending, I slipped a hand into my pocket, clenched an automatic, and then whirled upon them with

the gun leveled.

"Hands up! Both of you!" I said.

Amazement flashed over McCann's face, consternation over the chauffeur's. But their hands went up.

I said, "There's no need of that clever little agreement, McCann. Ricori is not dead. When he's able to

talk he'll tell what happened to him."

I was not prepared for the effect of this announcement. If McCann was not sincere, he was an

extraordinary actor. His lanky body stiffened, I had seldom seen such glad relief as was stamped upon

his face. Tears rolled down his tanned cheeks. The chauffeur dropped to his knees, sobbing and praying.