“What’s the game?” demanded Labar, placidly.

“I’ll show you.” Hughes came nearer, and still keeping the detective covered, thrust his left hand into the other’s breast pocket. He withdrew the photograph. “This is my property. See here.” He replaced the automatic in his pocket, and tore the portrait to strips. “That’s that. Just one little bit of evidence against Miss Noelson gone. Now you may go, too.”

Labar took it all gracefully. “Thank you,” he said. “I’ll be back.”

“Oh, no you won’t,” disagreed Hughes. “If you try it I’ll have the servants throw you out. Goodbye, Mr. Labar.”

He accompanied the detective inspector to the front door, and as soon as it had closed behind him, returned and summoned a servant.

“Tom,” he demanded, “did you ever read Bacon?”