CHAPTER XXI
THE TIGHTENING OF THE WEB
"Krauss," said Baron von Götz-Wrede while Tom was out of the room, and examining Lord Vyvyan's five-thousand-guinea check, "you have done well. I shall speak of you to. . . You know. . ."
"Thank you, sir."
The officer gave him back the check, and the valet was about to tear it up when the other stopped him.
"No, no! What are you doing, man?"
"I thought, sir, I would. . ."
"Heavens, no! Put it back in Graves' pocket. Better still, drop it on the floor—over there—near the little taboret."
"Zu Befehl, Herr Hauptmann!" Krauss clicked his heels, The check fluttered on the rug.
"That's right. No use having Graves suspect. He's deliciously simple, our American friend. But still. . ."
"Any other orders, Herr Hauptmann?"
"No, Krauss. You stay with Graves."
"But—I beg your pardon, sir—if he has lost his money. . ."
"Not exactly lost yet, worse luck! Lehneke is doing splendidly. So are the others. But the case is not yet finally decided."
"But. . ." Krauss cut in again, anxiously; and the Baron smiled condescendingly.
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