"Thank you," said Peter firmly, as he stooped to pick up the weapon. He was surprised at his own almost unnatural calmness. "Might I ask the reason for this--er--outrage?"
"You have discovered everything," muttered the spy. "That was sufficient reason."
"Accidentally," added Barcroft. "Even then why should you seek my life and, what is almost as important to me, to destroy my labour--my writings? Look here, Norton, the position is this. You are a spy, caught redhanded, and the penalty is, as you know, death."
"And I meant to settle you before that," hissed the recreant.
"But Providence decided otherwise," continued Peter. "I thought you a totally different kind of person. You partook of my hospitality, yet descend to attempted assassination. Yet I do not forget that yesterday you saved
