"Saved my life. Suppose she doesn't want me to know."
Cutty jumped at this. "Doesn't care to be mixed up with the Bolshevik end of it. Besides, she doesn't know who you are."
"The fewer that know the better. But I'll always remember her kindness and that bally pistol with the fan in it. But you? Why did you bother to bring me up here?"
"Couldn't decently leave you where Karlov could get to you again."
"Is Stefani Gregor dead?"
"Don't know; probably not. But we are hunting for him." Cutty had not explained his interest in Gregor. Those plaguey stones again. They were demoralizing him. Loot.
"You spoke of Karlov. Who is he?"
"Why, the man who followed you across half the world."
"There were many. What is he like?"
"A gorilla."
"Ah!" Hawksley became galvanized and extended his fists. "God let me live long enough to put my hands on him! I had the chance the other day—to blot out his face with my boots! But I couldn't do it! I couldn't do it!" He sagged in the chair. "No, no! Just a bit groggy. All right in a moment."
"By the Lord Harry, I'll see you through. Now
