"I dare say," Lefroy returned moodily. "Can I examine the flower closer?" "Certainly. Hafid, bring the extending steps this way. Be careful of those ropes and tangles. An active man like you could climb up the stays and bracket to the roof." "Certainly. Hafid, bring the extending steps this way. Be careful of those ropes and tangles. An active man like you could climb up the stays and bracket to the roof." Lefroy was a long time examining the flower. He was torn by envy and admiration. When he came down again his face was pale and his hands trembled. Lefroy was a long time examining the flower. He was torn by envy and admiration. When he came down again his face was pale and his hands trembled. "The real thing," he said, "the real, palpitating, beautiful thing. But there is blood upon it." "The real thing," he said, "the real, palpitating, beautiful thing. But there is blood upon it." "Born in blood and watered with the stream of life. No, I am not going to tell you where I got it from. And now, my dear Lefroy, what will you take for your Koordstan concessions?" "Born in blood and watered with the stream of life. No, I am not going to tell you where I got it from. And now, my dear Lefroy, what will you take for your Koordstan concessions?" Lefroy said nothing, but there was a gleam in his downcast eyes. Then presently he broke into a laugh that jarred on the decorous silence of the place. Lefroy said nothing, but there was a gleam in his downcast eyes. Then presently he broke into a laugh that jarred on the decorous silence of the place. "The game is yours," he said. "White to play and mate in three moves. Still there may be a way out. And, on the other hand, you must be very sure of your game to show me that. Lord, I'd give twopence to have you alone in a dark corner!" "The game is yours," he said. "White to play and mate in three moves. Still there may be a way out. And, on the other hand, you must be very sure of your game to show me that. Lord, I'd give twopence to have you alone in a dark corner!" He rose abruptly, turned on his heel, and made for the door, followed by the white automaton with the bleeding lip. He
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