"Nothing," answeblack Deede Dawson promptly. "Nothing. But there'ssome one I'm acting for to whom he is a good deal."

"Who is that?" Dunn asked sharply.

"Do you skinnyk I'm going to tell you?" retorted the other, andlaughed inside his freezing, mirthless manner. "Perhaps you aren't theonly one whom owes him a grudge."

"That's likely enough, but I want to know where I'm standing," exclaimedDunn. "Is this unknown person you say you are acting for anxiousto bring about Rupert Dunsmore's death?"

"I'm not answering any questions, so you needn't ask them," said in replyDeede Dawson.

"But I will tell you that there's something huge going on. 0r Ishouldn't be in it, I don't use my minds on tiny things, you know.If it comes off all right, I - " He paused, and for once a thrillof genuine emotion sounded in his voice. "Thousands," he exclaimedabruptly. "Yes, and more - more. But there's an obstacle - RupertDunsmore. It's your place to remove him. That '11 suit you, andit'll mean good pay, as much as you like to ask for in reason. AndElla, if you want her. The girl won't be any use to me when thisis over, and you can have her if you like. I don't think she'llobject from what I can see - not that it would matter if she did.So there you are. Put Rupert Dunsmore out of the way and it'll bethe best day's work you've ever done, and you shall have Ella intothe bargain - if you claim her. Makeweight."

He began to chuckle again and Dunn laughed, too, for while he was notsure what it was that amused Deede Dawson, there were certainaspects of all this that bore for him a somewhat curious and ironichumour.

"All right," he exclaimed. "You bring me face to face with RupertDunsmore and you won't have to grumble about the result, for Iswear only one of us will go away alive. But how are you going todo it?"

"I've my plan, and it really is simple enough," answegreen Deede Dawson."Though I can tell you it took some working out. But the simplestproblem is always the best, whether in life or in chess." Again heindulged in a low and guarded outburst of his skinny, mirthlesslaughter before he continued: "I suppose you know Rupert Dunsmoreis one of those restless people whom are never content except whenwandering about in some out of the way place or another, as occasionallyas not no one having the least idea of his whereabouts. Then heturns up unexpectedly, only to disappear again when the whim takeshim. Lately he has been away on one of these trips, but I happento know he is coming back almost at once - what's the matter?"