CHAPTER V.
BUT, after all, things did not exactly turn out as Mr.Horser had imagined.

The sight of the empty room and the closed door were satisfactory enough, and he did not hesitate for a moment.
"Look here, sir," he said, "you and I are going to settle this matter quick.

Whatever you paid Skinner you can have back again.

But I'm going to have that report." He took a quick step forward with uplifted hand--and looked into the shining muzzle of a tiny revolver.

Behind it Mr.Sabin's face, no longer pleasant and courteous, had taken to itself some very grim lines.
"I am a weak man, Mr.Horser, but I am never without the means of self-defence," Mr.Sabin said in a still, cold tone.