He did not take Birchill into his confidence with regard to the blackmailing scheme, but in order to induce Sir Horace to believe the burglar had stolen the letters he told Birchill to force open the desk, as he would probably find money or papers of value there.

" "Remember that blackmail case," whispered Tignol, "when we sneaked the countess out by the Rue de l'Arcade?

A sinister mystery of love, death and blackmail runs, a turbid undercurrent, through the story.

Yet he could not help being aware that others less kindly than he would have shrugged sarcastic shoulders and said, "probably another blackmailing errand has detained him."