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276 heavy foliage of the marronniers, to say nothing of the ivy, while a street lamp at some distance lighted the leaves overhead and put me in the shadow. Just the same, nothing could persuade me that Chu-Chu would have stayed long within my reach if I had been meaning to kill him. That extra sense would have made him restless.

If Ivan was tempted by this offer he failed to show it. Perhaps, like myself, he was a man of his word; or maybe he considered it beneath his dignity as Chief to bargain. At any rate, he answered:

"As I told you before, I want nothing to do with that affair. Never mind my motive—that is my own business. If you had dealt fairly with me in the matter of the Rosenthal stones you would never have got yourself in such an embarrassing position."

"But how many times have I got to say that I was waiting only for the opportunity to tell you of that job?" Chu-Chu snarled.

"It seems to me there was plenty of time," snapped Ivan. "At any rate, you must admit that you got us both made fools of. However, all this is not what interests us now. About this other affair? Do you want to undertake it or not? You may have until to-morrow forenoon to decide. Come and tell me your decision at eleven. I am going to lunch with Léontine at twelve-thirty. And now I must wish you good-night, as it is indiscreet for us to stand here talking."

Chu-Chu muttered something under his breath. Ivan opened the door. Chu-Chu slipped out-