He laid his fingers as though carelessly upon a small bronze ornament which reposed amongst others on a table by his side.

If Mr.Lassen's fat and ugly hand should steal toward his pocket, Laverick was prepared to hurl the ornament at his head.
"I am very sorry to hear you say that, Mr.Laverick," Lassen said slowly.

"I hope very much that you will see your way clear to change your mind.

I can assure you that I have as much right to the document as Mademoiselle Idiale, and that it is her earnest wish that you should hand it over to me.

Further, I may inform you that the document itself is a most incriminating one.