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be more to the point to say IN court."

Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited.

You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me, and give

up Peel Edgerton."

Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.

I think not."

You refuse?" There was an ugly ring in the Russian's voice.

I do."

Then, by Heaven," snarled the Russian, "we will see----" But Mrs. Vandemeyer

also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.

You forget, Boris," she said. "I am accountable to no one. I take my orders only

from--Mr. Brown."

The other threw up his hands in despair.

"You are impossible," he muttered. "Impossible! Already it may be too late. They

say Peel Edgerton can SMELL a criminal! How do we know what is at the bottom

of his sudden interest in you? Perhaps even now his suspicions are aroused. He

guesses----"

Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.

"Reassure yourself, my dear Boris. He suspects nothing. With less than your

usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a beautiful

woman. I assure you that is all that interests Peel Edgerton."

Boris shook his head doubtfully.

"He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do you

fancy that you can deceive him?"

Mrs. Vandemeyer's eyes narrowed.

"If he is all that you say--it would amuse me to try!"

The Secret Adversary