Page:Rowland--The closing net.djvu/130

114 Needless to say I am delighted at the way in which things have turned out, for everything goes to confirm my confidence in the fair-dealing of M. le Comte, if not in that of M. Chu-Chu. Since the latter has held back these stones, there is no reason to suppose that he has not done the same with the pearls. As soon as the latter are restored to me I will give up the gems."

Ivan had recovered his sang froid, but Chu-Chu's face was purple and blotchy and his lips were blue. He looked very sick. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that if he had possessed a weapon of any kind he would have sprung at me and taken the chance of my bullet, in which case he would certainly have got himself killed, and probably Ivan also. For I was by no means sure that the pearls were not at that very moment in Ivan's desk. Then why did I not go through it? For two reasons. In the first place there was no need. Since I had the stones I felt sure of getting the pearls. In the second place I did not want to antagonise Ivan more than was necessary. This may sound foolish, after having held him up as I had done, but he would realise that this was forced on me in order to search Chu-Chu. Of the two Ivan would be the more dangerous enemy, having all manner of sub-workers. As things stood it seemed likely enough that he would leave Chu-Chu and myself to settle our affair between us.

"Now," I said, "I'm going. Rush out after me if you think it would be healthy. If you call down to your servants I'll kill any man that raises a hand. Gun play of this sort is my long suit. But if you're