“You don’t think he’ll come, then?”

“No fear. Run his head into the lion’s mouth? Why, the room’s bristling with detectives and high officials.”

“You don’t know much about King Victor, if you think that would deter him. By all accounts, it’s the kind of situation he loves above all, and he always manages to come out on top.”

Mr. Eversleigh shook his head doubtfully.

“That would take some doing⁠—with the dice loaded against him. He’ll never⁠—”

The door opened again and Tredwell announced:

“ Mr. Cade.”

Anthony came straight across to his host.