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170 said I. "In fact, it shows me that I was correct in my estimate of your character. If I had not felt this quality in you I would never have given myself the trouble to go to you and ask for Miss Dalghren's pearls. We have much in common, Count. We are both gentlemen born and to some extent the victims of circumstance. My own career as a criminal was cut short because it conflicted with my personal honour. Now, my career as an honest man is apt to be cut short because it conflicts with my former career as a criminal. Chu-Chu will certainly kill me unless I am so fortunate as to kill Chu-Chu first. What are your own sympathies in this feud?"

Ivan gave me a straight look.

"They depend," said he, "on my own interests. Will you give me your word of honour that whatever happens you will never lay information that may injure me?"

I leaned forward and looked him in the eyes.

"Count," I said, "after our painful interview of yesterday morning, I determined to write a full statement which would incriminate you and your gang, and place it in the hands of some person with directions to put it in the hands of the police if I should suddenly be found murdered—or mysteriously disappear. Then I thought that I would write to you and tell you what I had done, thus making you, in a way, my guardian angel. But I did not do this. I had met with straight dealing and good faith at your hands—and I knew that as much as you might wish to do so, nothing on your part would ever prevent Chu-Chu from trying to settle his account with me. The man is a blood-maniac. This afternoon Cut-