"How do you like me with mustachios, Mr. Grayson? They fell off three times to-day."
The man whom most of London supposed to be dead laughed heartily.
"They change the entire cast of your countenance," he remarked candidly. "They make you look like a rascal."
"That is true," admitted the count. "I have observe' the same. They bring out the evil streak in my nature. I used to wear them, five years ago, in London," he continued pensively, "and then I shaved for--ah--æsthetic reasons. Mr. T. B. Smith does not fancy mustachios. He thought they gave me the look of a nihilist--or perhaps a Russian spy. Apropos," he nodded to Grayson, "he has charge of your case. He is a clever man, my friend." He sighed gently.
Grayson looked at him sombrely. "I wish I were out of this job," he muttered, "and back in America with Doris. You saw her?" he demanded eagerly.
The count nodded, with a significant glance toward Baggin.
The latter caught the look, and suspicion flamed again in his eye.
"May I ask you a plain question?" he said harshly.
The count permitted himself a smile. "Since this afternoon," he answered softly, "I know--all."
Baggin's face grew black with rage. "Thief! I knew it!" He stuttered in the intensity of his passion.
The count surveyed him dispassionately. "Wrath in, reason out," he murmured.
Grayson intervened again. "For my part," he declared, "I am heartily glad of it. Poltavo is one of us now, and can tell us what he thinks of the scheme. I have always wished for his opinion."
Baggin rose abruptly, and strode about the room. Plainly the man was in a great, almost uncontrollable passion. The veins on his temples stood out in knots, and his hands clenched and unclenched spasmodically. Presently he turned, mastering himself with a strong effort, and held out his hand. "I agree," he said in a constrained voice. "You are one of us, count." The two shook hands and resumed their chairs.
"And now," said Grayson, "tell us what you think of the scheme?"
The count hesitated for a minute. "Good," he said at length, "and bad! Admirable in the general plan, but absurd in some of the details."
"The general plan was mine," said Baggin gruffly.
"And the absurd details were probably mine," admitted Grayson with cheerfulness.
