“I⁠—” began the woman.

Larry silenced her with a minatory wave of the hand. “She daren’t let anything be known for her own sake. Your common sense should tell you that.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” mused the detective. “But it’s too big a risk. You’ll have to raise the ante, Larry.”

There was a gleam of triumph in Larry Hughes’ face. “I’ll make it twenty thousand,” he said. “That ought to satisfy you.”

Labar still looked doubtful. He shifted the hand which he had been pressing to the hurt in his side, and Larry, if he noticed the motion, paid no attention. He felt that danger was no longer to be anticipated from the detective.

“I’ll think it over,” said the latter.

“No, no.” Larry was smiling confidently. “Make up your mind now.”