Andwherebeforehadslouchedaslope-shouldered，misshapen，flabbycreature，abroad-shoulderedformwelloversixfeetinheightnowstooderect，andunderthecleanwhiteskinthemusclesofanathlete，likeknobsofsteelplayedbackandforthwitheverymovementofhisbody。

InthestreakedandbrokenmirrorJimmieDalesurveyedhimselfcritically，methodically，and，withanodofsatisfaction，hastilydonnedthefashionablycutsuitoftweedsuponthebed。Herummagedthenthroughtheraggedgarmentshehadjustdiscarded，transferredtohispocketsarollofbillsandhisautomatic，andpausedhesitantly，staringatthethinmetalcase，likeacigarettecase，thatheheldinthepalmofhishand。Heshruggedhisshouldersalittlewhimsically；itseemedstrangeindeedthathewasthroughwiththat！Hesnappeditopen。Within，betweensheetsofoilpaper，laythescoresoflittlediamond-shaped，gray-coloured，adhesivepaperseals——theinsigniaoftheGraySeal。Yes，itseemedstrangethathewasnevertouseanother！Heclosedthecase，gathereduptheclothesofLarrytheBat，tuckedthecaseinamongthem，andshovedthebundleintotheholeundertheflooring。Allthesethingswouldhavetobedestroyed，buttherewasnottimeto-

night；to-morrow，orthenextday，woulddoforthat。Whatwoulditbeliketoliveanormallifeagain，withoutthemenaceofdangerlurkingoneveryhand，withoutthatgrimsloganoftheunderworld，“DeathtotheGraySeal！“orthatsavagefiatofthepolice，“TheGraySeal，deadoralive——buttheGraySeal！“foreverringinginhisears？Whatwoulditbelike，thisnewlife——withher？

Thethoughtwasthrillinghimagain，bringingagainthateager，exultantuplift。Inanhour，ONEhour，andthebarriersofyearswouldbesweptaway，andshewouldbeinhisarms！

“It”sformysaketo-night！“Hisfacegrewsuddenlytense，asthewordscamebacktohim。That“hour“wasn”toveryet！Itwasnohystericalexaggerationthathadpromptedhertocallherenemiesthemostpowerfulandpitilessorganisationofcriminalsthattheworldhadeverknown。ItwasnottheTocsin”swaytoexaggerate。

Thewordswouldbeliterallytrue。Theverylifeshehadledforthethreeyearsthathadgonestoodoutnowasagrimproofofherassertion。

JimmieDalereplacedtheflooring，carefullybrushedthedustbackintothecracks，spreadtheoilclothintoplace，andstoodup。Whoandwhatwasthisorganisation？WhatwasbetweenitandtheTocsin？

Whatwasthisimmensefortunethatwasatstake？Andwhatwasthispricelesspacketthatwassocrucial，thatmeantvictorynow，ay，andherlife，too，shehadsaid？

Thequestionssweptuponhiminasortofbreathlesssuccession。

Whyhadshenotlethimplayapartinthis？True，shehadtoldhimwhy——thatshedarednotexposehimtotherisk。Risk！WasthereanyriskthattheGraySealhadnottaken，andatherinstance！Hedidnotunderstand，hesmiledalittleuncertainly，ashereacheduptoturnoutthegas。TherewereagoodmanythingsthathedidnotunderstandabouttheTocsin！

Theroomwasindarkness，andwiththedarknessJimmieDale”smindcentredontheworkimmediatelybeforehim。ToenterthetenementwherehewasknownandhadanacknowledgedrightasLarrytheBatwasonething；forJimmieDaletobediscoveredtherewasquiteanother。

Hecrossedtheroom，openedthedoorsilently，stoodforamomentlistening，thensteppedoutintotheblack，musty，ill-smellinghallway，closingthedoorbehindhim。Hestoopedandlockedit。

Thequerulouscryofachildreachedhimfromsomewhereabove——amurmurofvoices，muffledbycloseddoors，fromeverywhere。Howmanyfamilieswerehousedbeneaththatsordidroofhehadneverknown，onlythattherewasmiserablepovertythereaswellasviceandcrime，onlythatLarrytheBat，whopossessedaroomalltohimself，wasassomelordlyandsuper-beingtothesefellowtenantswhosharedtheirswithsomanythattherewasnotairenoughforalltobreathe。

Hehadnodoorstopass——hiswasnexttothestaircase。Hebegantodescend。Theycouldscreamandshriek，thosestairs，likeagedhumans，twistedandrheumatic，attheleastungentletouch。Buttherewasnosoundfromthemnow。Thereseemedsomethingalmostuncannyinthesilenttread。Stairafterstairhedescended，hisentireweightthrowngraduallyupononefootbeforetheotherwaslifted。Thestrainuponthemuscles，trainedandhardenedastheywere，told。Ashemovedfromthebottomstep，hewipedlittlebeadsofperspirationfromhisforehead。

Thedoor，now，thatgaveonthealleyway！Heopenedit，slippedoutside，dartedacrossthenarrowlane，stolealongwheretheshadowsofthefencewereblackest，paused，listening，ashereachedtheendofthealleyway，toassurehimselfthattherewasnonear-bypedestrian——andsteppedoutintothestreet。

Hekeptonalongtheblock，turnedintotheBowery，and，underthefirstlamp，consultedhiswatch。Itwasaquarterpastten。Hecouldmakeiteasilyinaleisurelywalk。HecontinuedonuptheBowery，finallycrossedtoBroadway，andshortlyafterwardturnedintoWaverlyPlace。AtthecornerofFifthAvenueheconsultedhiswatchagain——andnowhelightedacigarette。SixthAvenuewasonlyablockaway。Atpreciselyhalf-pastten，tothesecond，hehaltedonthedesignatedcorner，smokingnonchalantly。

Ataxicab，coincidentallycomingfromanuptowndirection，swungintothecurb。

“Taxi，sir？Yes，sir？“Then，withanadmirableminglingofeagernesstosecurethefareandafearthathisconfessionmightcausehimthelossofit：“I”veanotherfareinhalfanhour，sir，butIcangetyoumostanywhereinthattime。”

JimmieDale”scigarettewastossedcarelesslyintothestreet。

“St。JamesClub！“hesaidcurtly，andsteppedintothecab。

Thecabstartedforward，turnedthecorner，andheadedalongWaverlyPlacetowardBroadway。Thechauffeurtwistedaroundinhisseatinamatter-of-factway，asthoughtoaskfurtherdirections。

“Haveyouanythingforme？“heinquiredcasually。

Itlaywhereitalwayslay，thatring，betweenthefoldsofthatlittlewhitegloveinhispocketbook。JimmieDaletookitoutnow，andhandeditsilentlytothechauffeur。

Theother”sfacechangedinstantly——composurewasgone，andaquick，strainedlookwasinitsplace。

“I”mafraidI”vebeenwatched，“hesaidtersely。“Lookbehindyou，willyou，andtellmeifyouseeanything？“

JimmieDaleglancedbackwardthroughthelittlewindowinthehood。

“There”sanothertaxijustturnedinfromSixthAvenue，“hereportedthenextinstant。

“Keepyoureyeonit！“instructedthechauffeurshortly。

Thespeedofthecabincreasedsensibly。

Withacurioustighteningofhislips，JimmieDalesettledhimselfinhisseatsothathecouldwatchthecabbehind。Therewastroublecoming，intuitivelyhesensedthat；and，hereflectedbitterly，hemighthaveknown！Itwastoomarvellous，toowonderfulevertocometopassthatthisonehour，thethoughtofwhichhadfiredhisbloodandmadehimgladbeyondanygladnesslifehadeverheldforhimbefore，shouldbringitspromisedhappiness。

“Where”sthecabnow？“thechauffeurflungbackoverhisshoulder。

TheyhadpassedFifthAvenue，andwerenearingBroadway。

“Aboutthesamedistancebehind，“JimmieDaleanswered。

“Thatlooksbad！“thechauffeurgrittedbetweenhisteeth。“We”llhavetomakesure。I”llrundownLowerBroadway。”

“Ifyouthinkwe”refollowed，“suggestedJimmieDalequietly，“whynotrunuptownandgivethemtheslipsomewherewherethetrafficisthick？LowerBroadwayatthistimeofnightisasemptyanddesertedasacountryroad。”

Thechauffeur”ssuddenlaughwasmirthless。

“MyGod，youdon”tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout！“heburstout。

“Ifthey”refollowing，allhellcouldn”tthrowthemoffthetrack。

AndI”vegottoknow，I”vegottobeSUREbeforeIdaremakeamoveto-night。Icouldn”ttellupinthecrowdeddistrictsifIwasfollowed，couldI？Theywon”tcomeoutintotheopenuntiltheirhandsareforced。”

Thecarswervedsharply，roundedthecorner，and，speedingupfasterandfaster，begantoteardownLowerBroadway。

“Watch！WATCH！“criedthechauffeur。

Therewasnowordbetweenthemforamoment；thenJimmieDalespokecrisply：

“It”sturnedthecorner！It”scomingthisway！“

Thetaxicabwasrockingviolentlywiththespeed；silent，empty，LowerBroadwaystretchedawayahead。Apartfromanoccasionalstreetcar，probablytherewouldbenothingbetweenthemandtheBattery。JimmieDaleglancedathiscompanion”sfaceasalight，flashingby，threwitintorelief。Itwassetandstern，evenalittlehaggard；but，too，therewassomethingelsethere，somethingthatappealedinstantlytoJimmieDale——asortofbulldoggritthatdominatedit。

“Ifheholdsourspeed，we”llknow！“thechauffeurwasshoutingnowtomakehimselfheardovertheroarofthecar。“Lookagain！Whereisitnow？“

OncemoreJimmieDalelookedthroughthelittlerearwindow。Thecabhadbeenablockbehindthemwhenithadturnedthecorner，andhewatcheditnowinasortofgrimfascination。Therewasnopossibledoubtofit！Thetwobobbing，bouncingheadlightswerecreepingsteadilynearer。AndthenasortofunnaturalcalmsettleduponJimmieDale，andhishandwentmechanicallytohispockettofeelhisautomaticthere，asheturnedagaintothechauffeur。

“Ifyou”vegotanymorespeed，you”dbetteruseit！“hesaidsignificantly。

Themanshotaquicklookathim。

“Theyarefollowingus？YouareSURE？“

“Yes，“saidJimmieDale。

Thechauffeurlaughedagaininthatmirthless，savageway。

“Leanoverhere，whereIcantalktoyou！“heraspedout。“Thegame”sup，asfarasIamconcerned，Iguess！Butthere”sachanceforyou。Theydon”tknowyouinthis。”

“Givehermorespeed——ordodgeintoacrossstreet！“suggestedJimmieDalecoolly。“Theyhaven”tgotusyet，byalongway！“

Theothershookhishead。

“It”snotonlythatcabbehind，“heanswered，throughsetlips。

“Youdon”tknowwhatwe”reupagainst。Ifthey”rereallyafterus，there”satraplaidineverysectionofthiscity——thedevils！It”sthepackagetheywant。ThankGodforthepresentimentthatmademeleaveitbehind！Iwasgoingbackforit，youunderstand，ifIwassatisfiedthatweweren”tfollowed。Listen！There”sachanceforyou——there”snoneforme。Thatpackage——rememberthis！——nooneelseknowswhereitis，andit”slifeanddeathtotheonewhosentyouhere。It”sinBox428at——MyGod，LOOK！Lookthere！“heyelled，and，withawrenchatthewheel，sentthetaxilurchingandstaggeringforthecartracksinthecentreofthestreet。

Thescene，fastasthoughtitself，wasphotographingitselfineverydetailuponJimmieDale”sbrain。Fromthecrossstreetahead，onefromeachcorner，twomotorcarshadnosedoutintoBroadway，blockingtheroadonbothsides。Andnowthecarontheleft-handsidewasmovingforwardacrossthetrackstocounteractthechauffeur”smove，deliberatelyinsuringacollision。Therewasnochance，nofurtherroomtoturn，notimetostop——themandrivingtheothercarjumpedforsafety——theywouldbeintoitinaninstant。

“Box428！“Jimmiepleadedfiercely。“Goon，man！Goon！FINISH！“

“Yes！“criedthechauffeur。“JohnJohansson，at”

ButJimmieDaleheardnomore。Therewasthecrashofimpactasthetaxicabplowedintothecarthathadbeensocraftilymanoeuveredinfrontofit，andJimmieDale，liftedfromhisfeet，washurledviolentlyforwardwiththeshock，andallwentblackbeforehiseyes。

CHAPTERIII

THECRIMECLUB

Forwhatlengthoftimehehadremainedunconscious，JimmieDalehadnottheslightestidea。Heregainedhissensestofindhimselflyingonacouchinastrangeroomthathadamostexquisitelybrass-wroughtdomelightintheceiling。Thatwaswhatattractedhisattention，becausethelighthurthiseyes，andhisheadwasalreadythrobbingasthoughathousanddevilswerebeatingadiabolicaltattoouponit。

Heclosedhiseyesagainstthelight。Wherewashe？Whathadhappened？Oh，yes，herememberednow！ThatsmashonLowerBroadway！Hehadbeenhurt。Hemovedfirstonelimbandthenanothertentatively，andwasrelievedtofindthat，thoughhisbodyachedasifithadbeenseverelyshaken，andhisheadwasbad，hehadapparentlyescapedwithoutseriousinjury。

Wherewashe？Inahospital？Hisfingers，restingathissideuponthecouch，suppliedhimwiththeinformationthatitwasaveryexpensivecouch，upholsteredinfinestleather。Ifhewereinahospital，hewouldbeinacot。

Heopenedhiseyesagaintoglancecuriouslyaroundhim。Theroomwasquiteinkeepingwiththeartisticlightingfixtureandtherefined，ifexpensive，tastethatwasresponsibleforthecouch。A

heavyvelvetrugofrich，darkgreenwasborderedbyapolishedhardwoodfloor；panellingsofdark-greenfriezeandbeautifullygrainedwoodworkmadethelowerwalls；whileabove，onabackgroundofsomesoft-tonedpaper，hungafew，andevidentlychoice，oilpaintings。Therewasabig，invitingloungingchair；amassivewritingtable，ormoreproperly，adeskofwalnut；andbehindthedesk，hisbackhalfturned，apparentlyintentuponabook，satamaninimmaculateeveningdress。

JimmieDaleclosedhiseyesagain。Therewassomethingreassuringaboutitall，comfortablyreassuring。Thoughwhythereshouldbeanyoccasionforafeelingofreassuranceatall，hecouldnotforthemomentmakeout。Andthen，inasuddenflash，thedetailsofthenightcamebacktohim。TheTocsin”sletter——thepackagehewastoget——thetaxicab——thechauffeur，whowasnotachauffeur——thechase——thetrap。Helayperfectlystill。ItwastheprofessionalJimmieDalenowwhosebrain，inspiteofthethrobbing，brutallyachinghead，wasatwork，keen，alert。

Thechauffeur！Whathadhappenedtohim？Hadthemanbeenkilledintheautosmash；or，lessfortunatethanhimself，fallenintothehandsofthosewhosepowerheseemedbothtofearandratesohighly？Andthatpackage！Box——whatwasthenumber？——yes，428。

Whatdidthatmean？Whatbox？Wherewasit？WhowasJohnJohansson？Hehadn”theardanymorethanthat；thesmashhadcomethen。Andlastly，hewasbackagaintothesamequestionhehadbegunwith：Wherewashenowhimself？ItlookedasthoughsomegoodSamaritanhadpickedhimup。Whowasthisgentlemansoquietlyreadingthereatthedesk？

JimmieDaleopenedhiseyesforthethirdtime。Howstill，howabsolutelysilenttheroomwas！Hestudiedtheman”sbackspeculativelyforamoment，thenhisgazetravelledonpastthemantothewall，rivetedthere，andhisfingers，withoutmovementofhisarm，pressedagainsttheoutsideofhiscoatpocket。Hethoughtasmuch！Hisautomaticwasgone！

NotamuscleofJimmieDale”sfacemoved。Hiseyesshiftedtoapictureonthewall。THEMANWASWATCHINGHIM——NOTREADING！Justabovethelevelofthedesk，asmallmirrorheldthecouchinfocus——

but，equally，itheldthemaninfocus，andJimmieDalehadseentheother”seyes，throughablackmaskthatcoveredthefacetothetopoftheupperlip，fixedintentlyuponhim。

Therewasachillnowwherebeforetherehadbeenreassurance，somethingominousintheveryquietandrefinementoftheroom；andJimmieDalesmiledinwardlyinbitterirony——hisgoodSamaritanworeamask！Hisself-congratulationshadcometoosoon。Whateverhadhappenedtothechauffeur，itwasevidentenoughthathehimselfwascaught！Whatwasitthechauffeurhadsaid？Somethingaboutachancethroughbeingunknown。Wasittobeabattleofwits，then？

God，ifhisheaddidnotachesofrightfully！Itwashardtothinkwiththebrainhalfsickwithpain。

Thosetwoeyesshininginthatmirror！Thereseemedsomethinghorriblyspectre-likeaboutit。Hedidnotlookagain，butheknewtheywerethere。Itwaslikeacatwatchingamouse。Whydidnotthemanspeak，ormove，ordosomething，and——Heturnedhisheadslowly；themanwaslaughinginalow，amusedway。

“Youappeartobetakenwiththatpicture，“observedapleasantvoice。“Perhapsyourecogniseitfromthere？ItisaCorot。”

JimmieDale，withawell-simulatedstart，satup——and，withanotherquiteaswellsimulated，staredatthemaskedman。Theotherhadlaiddownhisbook，andswungaroundinhischairtofacethecouch。

JimmieDalestoodupalittleshakily。

“Lookhere！“hesaidawkwardly。“I——Idon”tquiteunderstand。I

rememberthatmytaxigotintoasmash-up，andIsupposeIhavetothankyoufortheassistanceyoumusthaverenderedme；only，asI

say“——helookedinapuzzledwayaroundtheroom，andinanevenmoreperplexedwayatthemaskontheother”sface”ImustconfessIamatalosstounderstandquitethemeaningofthis。”

“Supposethatinsteadoftryingtounderstandyousimplyacceptthingsasyoufindthem。”Thevoicewassoft，buttherewasafinalityinitthatitsblandnessonlyservedtomakethemoresuggestive。

JimmieDaledrewhimselfup，andbowedcoldly。

“Ibegyourpardon，“hesaid。“Ididnotmeantointrude。Ihaveonlytothankyouagain，then，andbidyougood-night。”

Thelipsbeneaththemaskpartedslightlyinapolitelydeprecatingsmile。

“Thereisnohurry，“saidtheman，asuddensharpnesscreepingintohistones。“IamsorrythattheruleIapplytoyoudoesnotworkbothways。Forinstance，Imightbequiteatalosstoaccountforyourpresenceinthattaxicab。”

JimmieDale”ssmilewasequallypolite，equallydeprecating。

“Ifailtoseehowitcouldbeoftheslightestpossibleinteresttoyou，“hereplied。“However，Ihavenoobjectiontotellingyou。I

hailedthetaxiatthecornerofSixthAvenueandWaverlyPlace，toldthechauffeurtodrivemetotheSt。JamesClub，and”

“TheSt。JamesClub，“brokeintheothercoldly，“is，Ibelieve，north，notSOUTHofWaverlyPlace——andonBroadwaynotatall。”

JimmieDalestaredattheotherforaninstantinpatientannoyance。

“Iamquitewellawareofthat，“hesaidstiffly。“NeverthelessI

toldthemantodrivemetotheSt。JamesClub。WecameacrossWaverlyPlace，butonreachingBroadway，insteadofturninguptown，hesuddenlywhirledintheotherdirectionandsentthecarflyingatfullspeeddownLowerBroadway。Ishoutedattheman。Idon”tknowyetwhetherhewasdrunkorcrazyor“——JimmieDale”seyesfixeddisdainfullyontheother”smask”whethertheremightnot，afterall，havebeenmethodinhismadness。Icanonlysaythatbeforewehadgonemorethantwoorthreeblocks，awildeffortonhisparttoavoidacollisionwithanautoswingingoutfromasidestreetresultedinanevenmoredisastroussmashwithanotherontheotherside，andIwasknockedsenseless。”

“”Victim”Ipresume，istheideayoudesiretoconvey，“observedtheotherevenly。“Youwerequitethevictimofcircumstances，asitwere！“

JimmieDale”seyebrowsliftedslightly。

“Itwouldappeartobefairlyobvious，Ishouldsay。”

“Veryclever！“commentedtheman。“Butnowsupposeweremovethebuttonsfromthefoils！“Hisvoiceraspedsuddenly。“YouarequiteaswellawareasIamthatwhathashappenedto-nightwasnotanaccident。Nor——incasethepossibilitymayhaveoccurredtoyou——

arethepoliceanythewiser，savefortheexistenceoftwowreckedcarsonLowerBroadway，andanotherwhichescaped，andforwhichdoubtlesstheyarestillsearchingassiduously。Theownershipofthetaxicabyousoinadvertentlyenteredtheywillhavenodifficultyinestablishing——you，perhaps，however，areinabetterpositionthanIamtoappreciatethefactthattheestablishmentofitsownershipwillleadthemnowhere。AsIunderstandit，themanwhodroveyouto-nightobtainedtheloanofthecabfromoneofthecompany”schauffeur”sinreturnforahundred-dollarbill。AmI

right？“

“Inviewofwhathashappened，“admittedJimmieDalesimply，“I

shouldnotbesurprised。”

Therewasasortofsardonicadmirationintheother”slaugh。

“Asfortheothercar，“hewenton，“Icanassureyouthatitsownershipwillneverbeknown。Whenthenearestpatrolmanrushedup，therewerenosurvivorsofthedisaster，savethoseinthethirdcarwhichhewaspowerlesstostop——whichaccountsforyourpresencehere。YouwilladmitthatIhavebeenquitefrank。”

“Oh，quite！“saidJimmieDale，alittlewearily。“Butwouldyoumindtellingmewhatallthisisleadingto？“

Themanhadbeenleaningforwardinhischair，onehand，palmdownward，restinglightlyonthedesk。Heshiftedhishandnowsuddenlytothearmofhischair。

“THIS！“hesaid，andonthedeskwherehishandhadbeenlaytheTocsin”sgoldsignetring。

JimmieDale”sfaceexpressedmildcuriosity。Hecouldfeeltheother”seyesboringintohim。

“Wewerespeakingofownership，“saidtheman，inalow，menacingtone。“Iwanttoknowwherethewomanwhoownsthisringcanbefoundto-night。”

Therewasnoplay，notriflinghere；themanwasindeadlyearnest。

ButitseemedtoJimmieDale，evenwiththesenseofperilmoreimminentwitheveryinstant，thathecouldhavelaughedoutrightinsavagemockeryattheironyofthequestion。Wherewasshe？EvenWHOwasshe？Andthiswasthehourinwhichhewastohaveknown！

“MayIlookatit？“herequestedcalmly。

Theothernodded，buthiseyesneverleftJimmieDale。

“Itwillgiveyouanextramomentorsotoframeyouranswer，“hesaidsarcastically。

JimmieDaleignoredthethrust，pickedupthering，examineditdeliberately，andsetitbackagainonthetable。

“SinceIdonotknowwhoownsit，“hesaid，“Icannotansweryourquestion。”

“No！Well，then，thereisstillanothermatter——alittlepackagethatwasinthetaxicabwithyou。Whereisthat？“

“Seehere！“saidJimmieDaleirritably。“Thishasgonefarenough！

Ihaveseennopackage，largeorsmall，orofanydescriptionwhatever。Youareevidentlymistakingmeforsomeoneelse。YouhaveonlytotelephonetotheSt。JamesClub。”Hereachedtowardhispocketforhiscardcase。“Mynameis”

“Dale，“suppliedtheothercurtly。“Don”tbotheraboutthecard，Mr。Dale。Wehavealreadytakenthelibertyofsearchingyou。”Heroseabruptlyfromhischair。“Iamafraidyoudonotquiterealiseyourposition，Mr。Dale，“hesaid，withanominoussmile。“Letmemakeitclear。Idonotwishtobetheatricalaboutthis，butwedonottemporisehere。Youwilleitheranswerbothofthosequestionstomysatisfaction，ORYOUWILLNEVERLEAVETHISPLACEALIVE。”

JimmieDale”sfacehardened。Hiseyesmettheother”ssteadily。

“Ah，IthinkIbegintosee！“hesaidcaustically。“WhenIhavebeenthoroughlyfrightenedIshallbeofferedmyfreedomataprice。

Asortofup-to-dategameofholdup！Thepenaltyofbeingawealthyman！Ifyouhadnamedyourfiguretobeginwith，wewouldhavesavedalotofidletalk，andyouwouldhavehadmyanswerthesooner：NOTHING！“

“Doyouknow，“saidtheother，inagrimlymusingway，“therehasalwaysbeenoneman，butonlyoneuntilnow，thatIhavewishedI

mightaddtomypresentassociates。Irefertotheso-calledGraySeal。To-nighttherearetwo。Ipayyouthecomplimentofbeingtheother。But“——hewassmilingominouslyagain”wearewastingtime，Mr。Dale。Iamwillingtoexposemyhandtotheextentofadmittingthattheinformationyouarewithholdingisinfinitelymorevaluabletomethanthemerewreakingofreprisaluponyouforarefusaltotalk。Therefore，ifyouwillanswer，Ipledgeyoumywordyouwillbefreetoleaveherewithinfiveminutes。Ifyourefuse，youarealreadyawareofthealternative。Well，Mr。Dale？“

Whowasthisman？JimmieDalewasstudyingtheother”schin，thelips，thewhite，eventeeth，thejet-blackhair。Somedaythetablesmightbeturned。Couldherecogniseagainthiscool，imperturbableruffianwhosocallouslythreatenedhimwithmurder？

“Well，Mr。Dale？Iamwaiting！“

“Iamnotamagician，“saidJimmieDalecontemptuously。“IcouldnotansweryourquestionsifIwantedto。”

Theother”shandslidinstantlytoarowofelectricbuttonsonthedesk。

“Verywell，Mr。Dale！“hesaidquietly。“Youdonotbelieve，Isee，thatIwoulddaretocarrymythreatintoexecution；youperhapsevendoubtmypower。Ishalltakethetroubletoconvinceyou——I

imagineitwillstimulateyourmemory。”

Thedooropened。Twomenwerestandingonthethreshold，bothineveningdress，bothmasked。Themanbehindthedeskcameforward，tookJimmieDale”sarmalmostcourteously，andledhimfromtheroomoutintoacorridor，wherehehaltedabruptly。

“Iwanttocallyourattentionfirst，Mr。Dale，tothefactthatasfarasyouareconcernedyouneitherhavenow，noreverwillhave，anyideawhetheryouareintheheartofNewYorkorfiftymilesawayfromit。Now，listen！Doyouhearanything？“

Therewasnothing。Onlythestrangesilenceofthatotherroomwasintensifiednow。Therewasnotasound；stillnesssuchasitseemedtoJimmieDalehehadneverexperiencedbeforewasaroundhim。

“YoumaypossiblyinferfromthesilencethatyouareNOTinthecity，“suggestedtheother，afteramoment”spause。“Ileaveyoutoyourownconclusionsinthatrespect。Thecause，however，ofthesilenceisinternal，notexternal；wehadsound-proofprinciplesinmindtoaperhapsexaggerateddegreewhenthisbuildingwasconstructed。Ifyoucaretodoso，youhavemypermissiontoshout，say，forhelp，toyourheart”scontent。Weshallmakenoefforttostopyou。”

JimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。Hewasstaringdownabrilliantlylighted，richlycarpetedcorridor。Thereweredoorsononeside，windowsontheother，thewindowsallhungwithheavy，closelydrawnportieres。Thecorridorwascertainlynotonthegroundfloor，butwhetheritwasonthesecondorthird，orevenabovethatagain，hehadnomeansofknowing。Fromappearances，though，theplaceseemedmorelikealarge，privatemansionthananythingelse。

“Justonewordmorebeforeweproceed，“continuedtheother。“Idonotwishyoutolabourunderanyillusion。Herewearefranklycriminals。Thisisourhome。Itshouldhavesomeeffectinimpressingyouwiththepowerandresourceatourcommand，andalsowiththeclassofmenwithwhomyouaredealing。Thereisnotoneamonguswhoseeducationisnotfullyequaltoyourown；notone，indeed，butwhoischosen，grantingfirsthiscriminaltendencies，becauseheisaspecialistinhisownparticularfield——incommerce，inthegovernmentdiplomaticservice，intheprofessionsoflawandmedicine，intheranksofpurescience。Weareborderingonthefantastical，arewenot？Dreaming，youwillprobablysay，oftheUtopianincrimeorganisation。Quiteso，Mr。Dale。IonlyaskyoutoconsiderthePOSSIBILITIESifwhatIsayistrue。Nowletusproceed。Iamgoingtotakeyouintothreerooms——thethreewhosedoorsyouseeaheadofyou。Youwillnoticethat，includingtheoneyouhavejustleft，therearefouronthiscorridor。Idonotwishtostrainyourcredulity，orplaytricksuponyou；soIamgoingtoaskyoutofixanapproximateideaofthelengthofthecorridorinyourmind，asitwillperhapsenableyoutoaccountmorereadilyforwhatmayappeartobeadiscrepancyinthecorrespondingsizeoftherooms。”

Oneofthemenopenedthedoorahead。JimmieDale，atasignfromhisconductor，movedforwardandentered。Justwhathehadexpectedtofindhecouldnothavetold；hisbrainwaswhirling，partlyfromhisachinghead，partlyfromhisdesperateefforttoconceivesomewayofescapefromtheperilwhich，forallhisnonchalance，heknewonlytoowellwasthegravesthehadeverfaced；butwhathesawwassimplyacozilyfurnishedbedroom。Therewasnothingpeculiaraboutit；nothingoutoftheway，exceptperhapsthatitwasrathernarrow。

Andthensuddenly，rubbinghiseyesinvoluntarily，hewasstaringinadazedwaybeforehim。Thewholeright-handsideofthewallwassinkingwithoutasoundintothefloor，increasingthewidthoftheroombysomefiveorsixfeet——andinthisspacewasdisclosedwhatappearedtobeasortofchemicallaboratory，elaboratelyequipped，extendingtheentirelengthoftheroom。

“Thewallispurelyamatterofmechanicalconstruction，operatedhydraulically。”ThemanwasspeakingsoftlyatJimmieDale”sside。

“Theroombeneathisbuilttocorrespond；thebase，ceiling，andwallmouldingsheredonothavetobeveryingenioustoeffectadisguise。Imightsay，however，thatfewvisitors，otherthanyourself，haveeverseenanythingherebutabedroom。”Hewavedhishandtowardtheretorts，theracksoftesttubes，thehundredandonearticlesthatstrewedthelaboratorybench。“Asforthis，itspurposeistwofold。We，aswell，asthepolice，haveoftenneedofanalysis。Wemakeit。Ifwerequireadrug，apoison，say，wecompounditfromitsvariousingredients，or，asthecasemaybe，distilit，perhaps——itis，youwillagree，somewhatmoredifficulttotracetoitssourceifprocuredthatway。Andspeakingofpoisons“——hesteppedforward，andliftedaglass-stopperedbottlecontainingacolourlessliquidfromashelf”inamodestwaywehaveevendonesomeoriginalresearchworkhere。This，forinstance，isasUtopianfromourstandpointastheformation，andpersonneloftheorganisationIhavebrieflyoutlinedtoyou。Itpossessesveryessentialqualities。Itisalmostinstantaneousinitsaction，requiresaverysmallquantity，anddefiesdetectionevenbyautopsy。”Heuncorkedthebottle，anddippedinalongglassrod。“Willyouwatchtheexperiment？“heinvited，withasortofghastlypleasantry。“Idonotwantyoutoacceptanythingontrust。”

Withastart，JimmieDaleswungaround。Hehadheardnosound，butanothermanwasathiselbownow——and，strugglingintheman”shand，wasalittlewhiterabbit。

Itwasoverinaninstant。Asingledropintherabbit”smouth，andtheanimalhadstiffenedout，alifelessthing。

“Itisquiteaseffectiveonthehumanorganism，“continuedtheother，“only，insteadofonedrop，threearerequired。IfImakeitten“——hewascarefullymeasuringtheliquidintotwowineglasses——

“itisonlythatevenyoumaybesatisfiedthatthequantityisfatal。”Hefilleduptheglasseswithwhatwasapparentlywineofsomedescription，whichhepouredfromadecanter，andheldouttheglassesinfrontofhim。

AndagainJimmieDalestarted，againhehadheardnooneenter，andyettwomenhadsteppedforwardfrombehindhimandhadtakentheglassesfromtheirleader”shands。Heglancedaroundhim，countingquickly——theyweresurelythetwowhohadenteredwithhimfromthecorridor。No！Includingtheleader，therewerenowsixmen，allineveningdress，allmasked，intheroomwithhim。

Awaveoftheleader”shand，andthetwomenholdingtheglasseslefttheroom。ThemanturnedtoJimmieDaleagain。

“Shallweproceedtothesecondroom，Mr。Dale？“heaskedpolitely。

“Ithinkitisnowpreparedforus——Idonotwishtoboreyouwitharepetitionofmagicalslidingwalls。”

TherewassomethingnowthatnumbedtheacheinJimmieDale”sbrain——

asenseofsomedeadly，remorselessthingthatseemedtobeconstantlycreepingclosertohim，clutchingathim——tosmotherhim，tochokehim。Therewassomethingabsolutelyfiendish，terrifying，intheveneerofculturearoundhim。

Theyhadenteredthesecondroom。This，liketheother，wasapseudo-bedroom；butherethemovablewallwasalreadydown。Rangedalongtheright-handsidewereagreatnumberofcabinetsthatslidinandout，muchafterthestyleandfashionusedbyclothingdealerstostockanddisplaytheirwares。Thesecabinetswerenowallopen，displayinghundredsofcostumesofallkindsanddescriptions，andevidentlycompletetotheminutestdetail。Thecabinetswereflankedbyfull-lengthmirrorsateachendoftheroom，andonlittletablesbeforethemirrorswasanassortment，thatnonebetterthanJimmieDalehimselfcouldappreciate，ofmake-

upaccessories。

Themansmiledapologetically。

“Iamafraidthisisratheruninteresting，“hesaid。“Ihaveshownittoyousimplythatyoumayunderstandthatwearealivetotheimportanceofdetail。Disguise，thatisdailyvitaltous，isanartthatdependsessentiallyondetail。IventuretosaywecouldimpersonateanycharacterortypeornationalityorclassintheUnitedStatesatamoment”snotice。But“——hetookJimmieDale”sarmagainandconductedhimoutintothecorridor，whilethetwomenwhowereevidentlyactingtheroleofguardsfollowedcloselybehind——

“thereisstillthethirdroom——here。”HehaltedJimmieDalebeforethedoor。“Ihaveaskedyoutoanswertwoquestions，Mr。Dale，“hesaidsoftly。“Iaskyounowtorememberthealternative。”

Theystillstoodbeforethedoor。Therewasthatuncannysilenceagain——itseemedtoJimmieDaletolastinterminably。Neitherofthethreemensurroundinghimmovednorspoke。Thenthedoorbeforehimwasopenedonanunlightedroom，andhewasledacrossthethreshold。Heheardthedoorclosebehindhim。Thelightscameon。

Andthenitseemedasthoughhecouldnotmove，asthoughhewererootedtothespot——andthecolourebbedfromhisface。Threefigureswerebeforehim：thetwomenwhohadcarriedtheglassesfromthefirstroom，andthechauffeurwhohaddrivenhiminthetaxicab。Thetwomenstillheldtheglasses——thechauffeurwasboundhandandfootinachair。OneoftheglasseswasEMPTY；theotherwasstillsignificantlyfull。

JimmieDale，withaviolenteffortatself-control，leanedforward。

Themaninthechairwasdead。

CHAPTERIV

THEINNOCENTBYSTANDER

Therewasnotasound。Thatstillness，weird，unnerving，thatpermeated，asitwere，everywherethroughthatmysterioushouse，was，ifthatwerepossible，accentuatednow。Thefourmaskedmenineveningdress，fiveincludingtheirleader，forthemanwhohadappearedinthatotherroomwiththerabbitwasnothere，wereassilent，asmotionless，asthedeadmanwhowaslashedthereinthechair。AndtoJimmieDaleitseemedatfirstasthoughhisbrain，stunnedandstupefiedattheshock，refuseditsfunctions，andlefthimgropingblindly，vaguely，withonlyasortofdull，subconsciousrealisationofmenaceandadeadlyperil，imminent，hangingoverhim。

Hetriedtorousehimselfmentally，toprodhisbraintoaction，topititinafightforlifeagainsttheseself-confessedcriminalsandmurdererswiththeirmaskofculture，whosurroundedhimnow。

Wasthereawayout？WhatwasittheTocsinhadsaid”themostpowerfulandpitilessorganisationofcriminalstheworldhaseverknown——thestakeafortuneofmillions——herlife！“Therehad，indeed，beennooveremphasisinthewordsshehadused！Theyhadtakenpainsthemselvestomakethatominouslyclear，thesemen！

Everydetailofthestrangehouse，withitsluxuriousfurnishings，itscleverlycontrivedappointments，breathedahorriblysuggestivedegreeofpower，adeadlypurpose，andanorganisationswayedbyamastermind；and，grimevidenceofthemerciless，inexorablelengthtowhichtheywouldgo，wastheghastlywhitefaceofthedeadchauffeur，boundhandandfoot，inthechairbeforehim！

ThatEMPTYglassinthehandofoneofthemen！Hecouldnottakehiseyesfromit——exceptashiseyesweredrawnmagneticallytothatFULLglassinthehandofoneoftheothers。Whatheightofsardonicirony！Hewastodrinkthatotherglass，todiebecauseherefusedtoanswerquestionsthatforyears，witheveryresourceathiscommand，riskinghisliberty，hiswealth，hisname，hislife，witheverythingthathecaredforthrownintothescales，hehadstruggledtosolve——andfailed！

Andthentheleaderspoke。

“Mr。Dale，“hesaid，withcoldsignificance，“Iregrettoadmitthatyourpseudotaxicabdriverwassoill-advisedastorefusetoanswertheSAMEquestionsthatIhaveputtoyou。”

Fivetoone！Thatwastheonlywayout——anditwashopeless。Itwastheonlywayout，because，convincedthathecouldanswerthosequestionsifhewantedto，thesemenwereindeadlyearnest；itwashopeless，becausetheywere——fivetoone！Andprobablytherewereasmanymore，twiceorthreetimesasmanymorewithincall。Butwhatdiditmatterhowmanymoretherewere！Hecouldfightuntilhewasoverpowered，thatwasallhecoulddo，andthefivecouldaccomplishthat。Still，ifhecouldknockthefullglassoutofthatman”shand，andgainthedoor，thenperhaps——heturnedquickly，asthedooropened。Itwasasthoughtheyhadreadhisthoughts。A

numberofmenweregroupedoutsideinthecorridor，thenthedoorclosedagainwithacordonrangedagainstitinsidetheroom；andatthesameinstanthisarmsandwristswerecaughtinapowerfulgraspbythetwomenimmediatelybehindhim，whoallalonghadenactedtheroleofguards。

Againtheleaderspoke。

“Iwillrepeatthequestions，“hesaidsharply。“Whereisthewomanwhoseringwasfoundonthatmanthereinthechair？Andwhereisthepackagethatyoutwomenhadwithyouinthetaxicabto-night？“

JimmieDaleglancedfromthetall，straight，immaculatelyclothedfigureofthespeaker，fromthethreateningsmileonthesetlipsthatjustshowedundertheedgeofthemask，tothedeadmaninthechair。Hehadfacedtheprospectofdeathbeforemanytimes，butithadcomewiththeheatofpassionaccompanyingit，ithadcomequickly，abruptly，witheveryfacultycalledintoactiontocombatit，withouttimetodwelluponit，tosift，weigh，ormeasureitsmeaning，andiftherehadbeenfearithadbeensubordinatetootheremotions。Butitwasdifferentnow。Hecouldnot，ofcourse，answerthosequestions；nor，hewasdoggedlyconscious，wouldhehaveansweredthemifhecould——andtherewasnomiddlecourse。

Death，withinthenextfewmoments，staredhimintheface；anditseemedcuriouslyirrelevantthat，inasortofunnaturalcalmness，heshouldbeattemptingtoanalysehisfeelingsandemotionsconcerningit。Allhislifeithadseemedtohimthattheacmeofhumanmentaltorturewasthecellofacondemnedcriminal，withthehorrorofitshopelessness，withthetimetodwelluponit；andthattheacmeofthattortureitselfmustbethatawfulmomentimmediatelyprecedingexecution，whenanticipationatlastwastomergeintosoul-sickeningreality。

Strangethatthoughtshouldcome！Strangethatheshouldbeframingabrainpictureofsuchascene，vivid，minuteindetail！No——notstrange。Hewaspicturinghimself。Theanalogywasnotperfect，itwastrue，hehadnothadthemonths，weeks，daysandhoursofsuspense；butitwasperfectenoughtobringhometohimwithappallingforcetherealisationofhisposition。Hewasstandingasacondemnedmanmightstandinthoselast，finalmoments，thosemomentswhichhehadimaginedmustbethemostterriblethatcouldexistinlife；butthatdismayofsoul，thehorror，theterrorwerenothis——therewas，instead，asmoulderingfury，apassionateamazementthatitwashisownlifethatwasthreatened。Itseemedimpossiblethatitcouldbehisvoicethatwasspeakingnowinsuchquiet，measuredtones。

“Isitworthwhile，willitconvinceyounow，anymorethanbefore，torepeatthatthereissomemistakehere？Iamnomoreabletoansweryourquestionsthanyouareyourselves。IneversawthatmaninthechairthereinmylifeuntilthemomentthatIhailedhiminhiscabto-night。Idonotknowwhothewomanistowhomthatringbelongs，muchlessdoIknowwheresheis。Andiftherewasapackageofanysortinthetaxicab，asyoustate，Ineversawit。”

Thelipsunderthemaskcurvedintoalupinesmile。

“Thinkwell，Mr。Dale！“Theman”svoicewaslow，menacing。

“Ethically，ifyousochoosetoconsiderit，yourrefusalmaybetheactofabraveman；practically，itistheactof——afool。Now——

youranswer！“

“Ihaveansweredyou，“saidJimmieDale——and，relaxingthemusclesinhisarms，letthemhanglimplyforaninstantinthegripofthetwomenbehindhim。“Ihavenootheranswer。”

Itwasonlyasign，amotionoftheleader”shand——butwithit，quickasalightningflash，JimmieDalewasinaction。Thelimparmstautenedintosteelashewrenchedthemloose，and，whirlingaround，hewhippedhisfisttothechinofoneofthetwoguards。

Inaninstant，withtheblow，asthemanstaggeredbackward，theroomwasinpandemonium。Therewasarushfromthedoor，andtwo，three，fourleapingformshurledthemselvesuponJimmieDale。Heshookthemoff——andtheycameagain。Therewasnochanceultimately，heknewthat；itwasonlytheelementalwithinhimthatroseinfiercerevoltatthethoughtoftamesubmission，thatbadehimsellhislifeasdearlyashecould。Panting，gaspingforbreath，draggingthembysheerstrengthastheyclungtohim，hegothisbacktothewall，fightingwiththesavagefuryandabandonofawildcat。

Butitcouldnotlast。Whereonemanwentdownbeforehim，tworemorselesslyappeared——theroomseemedfilledwithmen——theypouredinthroughthedoor——helaughedattheminahalf-dementedway——moreandmoreofthemcame——therewasnoplayforhisarms，noroomtofight——theyseemedsoclosearoundhim，somanyofthemuponhim，thathecouldnotbreathe——andhewasbending，beingcrusheddownasbyanintolerableweight。Andthenhisfeetwerejerkedfrombeneathhim，hecrashedtothefloor，and，inanothermoment，boundhandandfoot，hewastiedintoachairbesidethatotherchairwhosegrimoccupantsatinsuchghastlyapathyofthescene。

Theroomclearedinstantlyofallbuttheoriginalfive。Hisheadwasdrawnsuddenly，violentlybackward，andclampedinthatposition；andametalinstrument，forcedintohismouth，whilehislipsbledintheirresistance，priedjawsapartandheldthemopen。

“Onedrop！“theleaderorderedcurtly。

Themanwiththefullglassbentoverhim，anddippedaglassrodintotheliquid。Thedropglistenedarubyredontheendoftherod——andfellwithasharp，acrid，burningsensationuponJimmieDale”stongue。

ForamomentJimmieDale”sanimation，mentalandphysical，seemedsweptawayfromhimin，asitwere，ahiatusofhideoussuspense。

Whatwasittobelikethispassing？Whydiditnotactatonce，asithadactedontherabbittheyhadshowedhimintheotherroom？

Yes，heremembered！Ittookmorethanonedropforaman；andbesides，thiswasdiluted。Onedrophadnoeffectonaman；itrequired——GoodGod，ONEDROPEVENOFTHISWASENOUGH？Hestrainedforwardinthechairuntilthesweatingreatbeadssprangfromhisforehead，strainedandfoughtandtoreathisbondsinaparoxysmofmadnesstofreehimselfwhiletherestillremainedalittlestrength。Therewassomethingfilmingbeforehiseyes，anumbedfeelingwascreepingthroughhislimbs，robbingthem，sappingthemoftheirvitalityandpower。Hefelthimselfslippingawayintoastateofutterweakness，andhisbrainbegantogrowconfused。

Avoiceseemedtofloatintheairnearhim：“Forthelasttime——

willyouanswer？“

Withasupremeeffort，JimmieDalestrovetorallyhistotteringsenses。Didtheynotunderstandthestupendousmockeryoftheirquestions？Didtheynotunderstandthathedidnotknow？Hehadtoldthemso——perhapshehadbettertellthemsoagain。

“I”Hetriedtospeak，andfoundthewordsthickuponhistongue。

“I——donot——know。”

Theglassitselfwasthrustabruptlybetweenhislips。Someofthecontentsspilledandtrickleduponhischin，andthenafloodofit，burning，fiery，poureddownhisthroat。Afloodofit——anditneededbutTHREEdropsandtherehadbeenTENintheglass！

Sothiswasdeath——ahazy，nebulousthing！Therewasnopain。Itwaslike——like——nothingness。AndoutofthenothingnessSHEcame。

Strangethatsheshouldcome！Aloneshehadfoughtthesefiendsandoutwittedthemfor——howlongwasit？Threeyears！Shewouldbemorethaneveralonenow。PrayGodshedidnotfinallyfallintotheirclutches！

Howitburnednow，thatfataldraughttheyhadforceddownhisthroat，andhowitgrippedathimandseemedtoeatandboreitswayintotheverytissues！Itwastheend，and——no！ItwasSTIMULATING

him！Strengthseemedtobereturningtohislimbs；itseemedasthoughhewerebeingcarried，asthoughthebondsabouthimwerebeingloosened；andnowhisbrainseemedtobegrowingclearer。

Herousedupwithastartledexclamation。Hewasbackinthesameroominwhichhehadfirstreturnedtoconsciousnessaftertheaccident。Hewasonthesamecouch。Thesamemaskedfigurewasatthesamedesk。Hadhebeendreaming？Wasthisthenonlysomehorrible，ghastlynightmarethroughwhichhehadpassed？

No，ithadbeenrealenough；hisclothes，rentandtorn，andtheblooduponhishands，wheretheskinhadbeenscrapedfromhisknucklesinthefight，boreevidencetothat。Hemustthenhavelostconsciousnessforawhile，thoughitseemedtohimthatatnomoment，hazy，irrationalthoughhisbrainmighthavebeen，hadhebecomeentirelyoblivioustowhatwastakingplacearoundhim。Andyetitmusthavebeenso！

Theeyesfrombehindthemaskwerefixedsteadilyuponhim，andbelowthemasktherewasthehard，unpleasantsettothelipsthatJimmieDalehadgrownaccustomedtoexpect。

Themanspokeabruptly。

“Thatyoufindyourselfalive，Mr。Dale，“hesaidgrimly，“isnoconfessionofweaknessuponthepartofthosewithwhomyouhavehadtodealhere。Tobearwitnesstothatthereisonewhoisnotalive，asyouhaveseen。Thatmanweknew。Withyouitwassomewhatdifferent。Yourpresenceinthetaxicabwasonlysuspicious。Therewasalwaysthepossibilitythatyoumightbeoneofthoseubiquitous”innocentbystanders。”Yourname，yourposition，theimprobabilitythatyoucouldhaveanythingincommonwith——shallwesay，thematterthatsodeeplyinterestsus？——wasallinyourfavour。However，presumptionandprobabilityarethetoolsoffools。Wedonotdependuponthem——weapplythetest。Andhavingappliedthetest，weareconvincedthatyouhavetoldthetruth——thatisall。”

Herosefromhischairbrusquely。“Ishallnotapologisetoyouforwhathashappened。Idoubtverymuchifyouareinaframeofmindtoacceptanythingofthesort。Iimagine，rather，thatyouarepromisingyourselfthatweshallpay，andpaydearly，forthis——

that，amongotherthings，weshallanswerforthemurderofthatmanintheotherroom。Allthiswillbequitewithinyourprovince，Mr。

Dale——andquitefruitless。To-morrowmorningthestorythatyouarepreparingtotellnowwouldsoundincredibleeveninyourownears；

furthermore，asweshalltakepainstoseethatyouleavethisplacewithaslittleknowledgeofitslocationasyouobtainedwhenyouarrived，yourstory，evenifbelieved，woulddolittleservicetoyouandlessharmtous。Ithinkofnothingmore，Mr。Dale，except”

Therewasawhimsicalsmileonthelipsnow。“Ah，yes，thematterofyourclothes。Wecan，andshallbegladtomakereparationtoyoutotheslightextentofofferingyouanewsuitbeforeyougo。”

JimmieDalescowled。Sick，shaken，andweakashewas，thecool，imperturbableimpudenceofthemanwasfastgrowingunbearable。

Themanlaughed。“Iamsureyouwillnotrefuse，Mr。Dale——sinceweinsist。Theconditionoftheclothesyouhaveonatpresentmight——

Isay”might”——inameasuresupportyourstorywithsomedegreeoftangibleevidence。Itisnotatalllikely，ofcourse；butweprefertodiscountevensoremoteapossibility。Whenyouhavechanged，youwillbemotoredbacktoyourhome。Ibidyougood-

night，Mr。Dale。”

JimmieDalerubbedhiseyes。Themanwasgone——throughadoorattherearofthedesk，adoorthathehadnotnoticedbefore，thatwasnoteveninevidencenow，thatwassimplyamovablesectionofthewallpanelling——andforaninstantJimmieDaleexperiencedasenseofsickeningimpotence。Itwasasthoughhestooddefenceless，unarmed，andutterlyatthemercyofsomevenomouspowerthatcouldcrushwhatitwouldremorselesslyandatwillinitsmight。

Theplacewasaveritablemaze，alairofhellishcleverness。Hehadnoillusionsnow，helabouredundernofalseestimateofeithertheingenuityortheresourcesofthisinhumannestofvulturestowhommurderwasnomorethanamatterofdetail。Anditwasagainstthesementhathenceforthhewastomatchhiswits！Therecouldbenotruce，noarmistice。Itwastheirlives，orhers，orhis！Well，hewasalivenow，thefirstroundwasover，andsofarhehadwon。

Hisbrowsfurrowedsuddenly。Hadhe？Hewasnotsosure，afterall。Hewasconsciousofadisquieting，premonitoryintuitionthat，insomewaywhichhecouldnotexplain，thehonourswerenotentirelyhis。

Hewasapparently——the“apparently“wasamentalreservation——quitealoneintheroom。Hegotupfromthecouchandwalkedshakilyacrossthefloortothedesk。Arevolverlayinvitinglyupontheblottingpad。Itwashisown，theonetheyhadtakenfromhimaftertheaccident。JimmieDalepickeditup，examinedit——andsmiledalittlesarcasticallyathimselfforhistrouble。Itwasunloaded，ofcourse。Hewastwirlingitinhishand，asaman，maskedaseveryoneinthehousewasmasked，andcarryinganeatlyfoldedsuitoverhisarm，enteredfromthecorridor。

“Thecarisreadyassoonasyouaredressed，“announcedtheotherbriefly。Helaidtheclothesuponthecouch——andsettledhimselfsignificantlyinachair。

JimmieDalehesitated。Then，withashrugofhisshoulders，recrossedtheroom，andbegantoremovehistorngarments。Whatwastheuse！Theywouldcertainlyhavetheirownwayintheend。Itwasn”tworthanotherfight，andtherewasnothingtobegainedbyarefusalexcepttoofferasoptohisownexasperation。

Hedressedquickly，inwhatprovedtobeanexceedinglywell-fittingsuit；andfinallyturnedtentativelytothemaninthechair。

Theotherstoodup，andproducedaheavyblacksilkscarf。

“Ifyouhavenoobjections，“hesaidcurtly，“I”lltiethisoveryoureyes。”

AgainJimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。

“Iamgladenoughtogetoutonanyconditions，“heansweredcaustically。

“”Fortunate”wouldbethebetterword，“rejoinedtheothermeaningly——and，deftlyknottingthescarf，ledJimmieDaleblindfoldedfromtheroom。

CHAPTERV

ONGUARD

Washeinthecity？Inasuburbantown？Onacountryroad？Itseemedchildishlyabsurdthathecouldnotatleastdifferentiatetothatextent；andyet，fromthemomenthehadbeenplacedintheautomobileinwhichhenowfoundhimself，hewasforcedtoadmitthathecouldnottell。Hehadstartedoutwiththebeliefthat，knowingNewYorkanditssurroundingsasminutelyasheknewthem，itwouldbeimpossible，dowhattheywouldtopreventit，thatattheendofthejourneyheshouldbewithoutaclew，andaverygoodclewatthat，tothelocationofwhathenowcalled，appropriatelyenoughitseemed，theCrimeClub。

Buthehadneverriddenblindfoldedinacarbefore！Hecouldseeabsolutelynothing。Andifthatincreasedoraccentuatedhissenseofhearing，ithelpedlittle——theroaroftheracingcarbeatuponhiseardrumsthemoreheavily，thatwasall。Hecouldtell，ofcourse，thenatureoftheroadbed。Theywererunningonanasphaltroad，thatwasobviousenough；butcitystreetsandsuburbanstreetsandhundredsofmilesofcountryroadaroundNewYorkwereofasphalt！

Traffic？Hewasquitesure，forhehadstrainedhisearsinanefforttodetectit，thattherewaslittleornotraffic；butthen，itmustbeoneortwoo”clockinthemorning，andatthathourthecitystreets，certainlythosethatwouldbechosenbythesemen，wouldbequiteasdesertedasanycountryroad！Andasforasenseofdirection，hehadnonewhatever——evenifthecarhadnotbeenpersistentlyswervingandchangingitscourseeverylittlewhile。

Ifhehadbeenabletoformevenanapproximateideaofthecompassdirectioninwhichtheyhadstarted，hemightpossiblyhavebeenableinageneralwaytocounteractthisfurthereffortoftheirstoconfusehim；butwithouttheinitialdirectionhewasessentiallybefogged。

Withtheseconclusionsfinallythrusthomeuponhim，JimmieDalephilosophicallysubordinatedthematterinhismind，and，leaningback，composedhimselfascomfortablyashecoulduponhisseat。

Therewasamanbesidehim，andhecouldfeelthelegsoftwomenontheseatfacinghim。These，withthedriver，wouldmakefour。Hewasstillwellguarded！Thecaritselfwasaclosedcar——nothooded，thesenseoftouchtoldhim——thereforealimousineofsomedescription。Thesefacts，inasenseinconsequential，wereabsorbedsubconsciously；andthenJimmieDale”sbrain，remorselesslyactive，inspiteofthepainfromhisthrobbinghead，wasatworkagain。

Itseemedasthoughayearhadpassedsince，intheearlyevening，asLarrytheBat，hehadburrowedsoironicallyforrefugeinChangFoo”sden——fromher！Itseemedlikesomemockingunreality，somevisionarydreamthat，soshortawhilebefore，hehadreadthosewordsofhersthathadsentthebloodcoursingandleapingthroughhisveinsinmadexultationatthethoughtthattheculminationoftheyearshadcome，thatallhelongedfor，hopedfor，thatallhissoulcriedoutforwastobehis”inanhour。”AnHOUR——andhewastohaveseenher，thewomanwhosefacehehadneverseen，thewomanwhomheloved！Andthehourinstead，thehourssincethen，hadbroughtanightmareofeventssoincredibleastoseembutphantomsoftheimagination。

Phantoms！Hesatupsuddenlywithajerk。Thefaceofthedeadchauffeur，thelimpformlashedinthatchair，thehorriblepictureinitsentirety，everydetailstandingoutinghastlyrelief，tookformbeforehim。Godknewtherewasnophantomthere！

Themanbesidehim，atthesuddenstart，liftedahandandfelthurriedlyoverthebandageacrossJimmieDale”seyes。

JimmieDalewasscarcelyconsciousoftheact。Withthatfacebeforehim，withthescenere-enactingitselfinhismindagain，hadcomeanotherthought，staggeringhimforamomentwiththenewmenacethatitbrought。Hehadhadneithertimenoropportunitytothinkbefore；ithadbeenallhorror，allshockwhenhehadenteredthatroom。Butnow，likeaninspiration，hesawitallfromanotherangle。Therewasaglaringfallacyinthegamethesemenhadplayedforhisbenefitto-night——afallacywhichtheyhadcountedonglossingover，asithad，indeed，beenglossedover，bythesuddenshockwithwhichtheyhadforcedthatsceneuponhim；or，failinginthat，theyhadcountedonthefactthathis，oranyotherman”snervewouldhavefailedwhenitcametoopendefiancebasedonasuppositionwhichmight，afterall，bewrong，and，beingwrong，meantdeath。

Butitwasnotsupposition。Eitherhewasrightnow，orthesemenwerechildish，immaturefools——and，whateverelsetheymightbe，theywerenotthat！NOTASINGLEDROPOFPOISONHADPASSEDTHE

CHAUFFEUR”SLIPS。Themanhadnotbeenmurderedinthatroom。Hehadnot，inasense，beenmurderedatall。Theman，absolutely，unquestionably，withoutaloopholefordoubt，hadeitherbeenkilledoutrightintheautomobileaccident，orhaddiedimmediatelyafterward，probablywithoutregainingconsciousness，certainlywithoutsupplyinganyoftheinformationthatwassodeterminedlysought。

Yes，hesawitnow！Theirbackswereagainstthewall，theywereattheirwits”end，thesemen！Theknowledgethatthechauffeurpossessed，thattheyKNEWhepossessed，wasevidentlylifeanddeathtothem。Tokillthemanbeforetheyhadwormedoutofhimwhattheywantedtoknow，or，atleast，until，byholdinghimaprisoner，theyhadexhaustedeverymeansattheircommandtomakehimspeak，wasthelastthingtheywoulddo！

JimmieDalesatforalongtimequitemotionless。Thecarwasspeedingataterrificratealongastraightstretchofroad。Hecouldalmosthavesworn，guidedbysomeintuitivesense，thattheywereinthecountry。Well，evenifitwereso，whatdidthatprove！

TheymighthavestartedFROMNewYorkitself——onlytoreturntoitwhentheyhadsatisfiedthemselvesthathewassufficientlyduped。

OrtheymighthavestartedlegitimatelyfromoutsideNewYork，andbegoingtowardthecitynow。SincetheultimatedestinationwasNewYork，andtheyhadmadenoattempttohidethatfromhim，itwasuselesstospeculate——foratbestitcouldbeonlyspeculation。Hehaddecidedthatoncebefore！Themanathissidefeltagainoverthescarftoseethatitwasinplace。

CuriouslynowJimmieDalerecalledtheinwardmonitorthathadwarnedhimthehonourshadnotallbeenhisinthisfirstroundwiththeCrimeClubto-night。Iftheyhaddeliberatelymurderedthechauffeurbecauseofarefusaltoanswer，theywouldequallyhavedonethesametohim。Foolthathehadbeennottohaveseenthatbefore！Andyetwouldithavemadeanydifference？Heshookhishead。Hecouldnothaveactedtoanybetteradvantagethanhehaddone。Hecouldnot——hislipscurledingrimderision——havebeenanymoreconvincing。

Convincing！Itwasallclearenoughnow！Ifthechauffeurhadsuffereddeathratherthantalk，evenadmittingthefactthattheyhadmoregroundsforsuspectingthechauffeur”scomplicity，wouldhis，JimmieDale”s，meredenial，hischoice，too，ofdeath，havebeenanythemoreconvincing，orhavesavedhislifewhereithadnotsavedtheother”s？Acertainaddedrespectforthesemen，againstwhom，untiltheendnow，hisvictoryortheirs，herealisedhewasfightingforhislife，cameoverhimasherecognisedthetouchofamasterhand。TheydidnotknowwheretofindtheTocsin；

thepackagethatshehadsaidwasvitaltothemwasstillbeyondtheirreach；thechauffeurwasdead；andhe，JimmieDale，aloneremained——aclewthattheyhadstilltoprovevalidorinvaliditwastrue，buttheonlyclewintheirpossession。And，gainingnothingfromhimbyashowofforce，tothrowhimoffhisguard，theyhadlethimgo——meaninghimtobelievetheywereconvincedheknewnothing，andthattheepisode，theadventureofthenight，was，asfarastheywereconcerned，ended，finished，anddonewith！

Timepassed，averylongtime，ashesatthere。Itmighthavebeenanhour——hecouldonlyhazardaguess。Notoneofthemeninthecarhadspokenaword。ButtoJimmieDale，thecaritself，theride，itsduration，thesethreestrangecompanions，wereforthetimebeingextraneous。Eventhatsickgiddinessinhisheadhad，atleasttemporarily，gonefromhim。

Andso，allunsuspectingly，hewastoleadthemtotheTocsinandfallintothetraphimself！Hishands，thrustdeepinhispockets，weretightlyclenched。Theywerecleverenough，ingeniousenough，powerfulenoughtowatchhimhenceforthateveryturn——andfromnowon，dayandnight，theyweretobereckonedwith。Supposethatinsomeway，asitmightwellhavehappened，foritwasnowvitallynecessarythatsheshouldcommunicatewithhimandhewithher，hehadplayedblindlyintotheirhands，andthroughhimsheshouldhavefallenintotheirpower！Itbroughtasickeningchill，asortofhideouspanictoJimmieDale——andthenfury，anger，inatorrent，surgeduponhim，andtherecameamercilessdesiretocrush，tostrangle，tostampoutthisinhumanbandofcriminalsthat，withintolerableeffronterytothelawsofGodandman，weresoelaboratelyandscientificallyequippedfortheirmonstrouspurposes！

AndthenJimmieDale，inthedarkness，smiledagaingrimlyastheleader”sreferencetotheGraySealrecurredtohim。Well，perhaps，whoknew，theywouldhavereasonmorethantheydreamedoftowishtheGraySealenrolledintheirownranks！Itwasstrange，curious！

Hehadthoughtallthatwasended。Onlyafewshorthoursbeforehehadhiddenawayall，everythingthatwasincidenttothelifeoftheGraySeal，theclothesofLarrytheBat，thatlittlemetalcasewiththegray-coloured，adhesiveseals，adozenotherthings，believingthatitonlyremainedforhimtoreturnanddestroythemathisleisureasafinishingtouchtotheGraySeal”scareer——andnow，instead，hewasfacetofacewiththegravestandmostdangerousproblemthatshehadevercalleduponhimtoundertake！

Well，atleast，theoddswerenotallintheCrimeClub”sfavour。

Wheretheynowcertainlybelievedhimtobeentirelyoffhisguard，hewasthoroughlyonhisguard；andwheretheymightsuspecthim，watchhim，theywouldsuspectandwatchonlythecharacter，thepersonofJimmieDale，andcountnotatalluponeitherLarrytheBator——theGraySeal。

AsortofsavageelationfelluponJimmieDale。Hisbrain，thathadbeenstagnant，confused，physicallysickwithpainandsuffering，wasworkingnowwithitsold-timevigourandease，mapping，planning，schemingthewayahead。Tostrike，andstrikequickly——tostrikeFIRST！Itmustbehismovenext——nottheirs！Andhemustactto-nightatonce，themomenthewasgiventhispretencetolibertythattheyhadinstoreforhim，beforetheyhadanopportunityofclosingdownaroundhimwithanetworkofspiesthathecouldnotelude。Bymorning，JimmieDalewouldbeLarrytheBat，andinhabitingtheSanctuaryagain。AndatiptoJason，hisoldbutler，totheeffect，say，thathehadgoneawayforatrip，wouldaccountforhisdisappearancesatisfactorilyenough；itwouldnotnecessarilyarousetheirsuspicionswhentheyeventuallydiscoveredhewasgone，foragainstthatwasalwaysthepossible，andquitelikelypresumptionthat，wheretheyhadsucceededinnothingelse，theyhadatleastsucceededinfrighteninghimthoroughlyandtotheextentofimbuinghimwithahastydesiretoputasafedistancebetweenhimselfandthem。

Andnow，withhismindmadeuptohiscourseofaction，anintenseimpatiencetoputhisplanintoeffect，anirritationattheuselesstwistingsandturningsofthecarthathadlatterlybecomemorefrequent，tookholduponhim。Howmuchlongerwasthistolast！

Theymusthavebeenfullyanhourandahalfontheroadalready，and——ah，thecarwasstoppingnow！

Hestraightenedupinhisseatasthemachinecametoahalt——butthemanathissidelaidarestraininghanduponhim。Thecardooropened，andoneofthemengotout。JimmieDalecaughtanindistinctmurmurofvoicesfromwithout，thenthemanreturnedtohisseat，andthecarwentonagain。

Anotherhalfhourpassed，that，curbinghisirritationandimpatience，wasfilledwiththeconjecturesandquestionsthatanewcamecrowdinginuponhismind。Whyhadthecarmadethatstop？Itwasrathercurious。Itwascertainlyaprearrangedmeetingplace。

Why？Andtheseclothesthathenowwore——whyhadtheymadehimchange？Hisownhadnotbeenverybadlytorn。Thereasongivenhimwas，onthefaceofitnow，inviewofwhathenowknew，merepretence。Whatwastheulteriormotivebehindthatpretence？Whatdidthispackage，thathadalreadycostamanhislifeto-night，contain？Whowasthechauffeur？WhatwasthisdeathfeudbetweentheTocsinandthesemen？DidsheknowwheretheCrimeClubwas？

WhoandwherewasJohnJohansson？Whatwasthisboxthatwasnumbered428？Couldshesupplythelinksthatwouldforgethechainintoanunbrokenwhole？

Andthenforthesecondtimethecarsloweddown——andthistimethemanontheseatbesideJimmieDalereachedupanduntiedthescarf。

“Yougetouthere，“saidthemantersely。

CHAPTERVI

THETRAP

Haditnotbeenforthestopthecarhadpreviouslymade，forthepossibilitythathemighthaveobtainedaglimpseoutsidewhenthedoorhadbeenopened，thescarfoverhiseyeswouldhavebeensuperfluous；fornow，withitremoved，hecouldscarcelydistinguishtheformsofthethreemenaroundhim，sincethewindowcurtainsofthecarweretightlydrawn。Norwashegiventheopportunitytodomore，evenhaditbeenpossible。Thecarstopped，thedoorwasopened，hewaspushedtowardit——andevenashereachedtheground，thedoorwasclosedbehindhim，andthecarwasspeedingonagain。

Butwherehecouldnotseebefore，ittooknowbutaglancetoobtainhisbearings——hewasstandingonacorneronRiversideDrive，withinafewdoorsofhisownhouse。

JimmieDalestoodstillforamoment，watchingthecarasitdisappearedrapidlyuptheDrive。Andwithasortofgrimfacetiousnesshisbrainbegantocorrelatetimeanddistance。Wherehadhecomefrom？WherewasthisCrimeClub？Theyhadbeen，asnearlyashecouldestimate，twohoursinmakingthejourney；and，asnearlyashecouldestimate，intheirturningsandtwistingshadcoveredatleasttwicethedistancethatwouldberepresentedbyadirectroute。Granting，then，anaveragespeedoffortymilesanhour，whichwasovergeneroustobeonthesafeside，andthefactthattheycertainlyhadnotcrossedtheHudson，whichnowlaybeforehim，flankingtheDrive，theCrimeClubwassomewherewithintheareaofasemicircle，whosecentrewasthecorneronwhichhenowstood，andwhoseradiuswasfortymiles——ORFORTYYARDS！Heforcedalaugh。Itwasjustthat，nomore，noless——hewasaslikelytohavestartedonhisridefromwithinabiscuitthrowofwherehenowstood，astohavestartedonitfrommilesaway！

But——hearousedhimselfwithastart——hewaswastingtime！Itmustbeverylate，nearmorning，andhewouldhaveneedforeverymomentthatwasleftbetweennowanddaylight。Heturned，walkedquicklytohishouse，mountedthesteps，andwithhislatch-key——theyhadatleastpermittedhimtoretainthecontentsofhispocketswhentheyhadforcedhimtochangehisclothes——openedthefrontdoorsoftly，and，steppinginside，closedthedoorassilentlyashehadopenedit。

Hepausedforaninstanttolisten。Therewasnotasound。Theservants，naturally，wouldhavebeeninbedhoursago。EvenoldJason——JimmieDalesmiled，halfwhimsically，halfaffectionately——

whosepaternalcustomitwastositupforhisMasterJim，who，ashewasfondofsaying，hehaddandledasababyonhisknee，hadevidentlygivenitupasabadjobonthisoccasionandhadturnedinhimself。Jason，however，hadleftthelightburninghereinthebigreceptionhall。

JimmieDalesteppedtotheswitchandturnedoffthelight；thenstoodhesitantinthedarkness。WasthereanythingtobegainedbyrousingJasonnowandtellinghimwhatheintendedtodo——toinstructhimtoansweranyinquiriesbythestatementthat“Mr。Dalehadgoneawayforatrip“？HecouldtrustJason；Jasonalreadyknewmuch——morethanoneofthosemysteriouslettersoftheTocsin”shadpassedthroughJason”shands。

JimmieDaleshookhishead。No；hecouldcommunicatewithJasonfromdowntowninthemorning。HehadhalfexpectedtofindJasonup，and，inthatcase，wouldhavetakentheother，asfarasnecessary，intohisconfidence；butitwasnotamatterthatpressedforthemoment。HecouldgetintotouchwithJasonatanytimereadilyenough。Wasthereanythingelsebeforehewent？Hewouldnotbeabletogetbackaseasilyashegotout！Money！Heshookhisheadagain——alittlegrimlythistime。HehadbeencaughtoncebeforeasLarrytheBatwithoutfunds！TherewasplentyofmoneynowhiddenintheSanctuary，enoughforanyemergency，enoughtolasthimindefinitely。

Hesteppedforwardalongthehall，histreadnoiselessontherich，heavyrug，passedintotherearofthehouse，descendedthebackstairs，andreachedthecellar。Itwasbelowtheleveloftheground，ofcourse；butanarrowwindowhere，thoughquitelargeenoughtopermitofegress，gaveonthedrivewayatthesideofthehousethatledtothegarageintherear。

Cautiouslynow，forthecementflooringwas，inthestillness，littlelessthanasoundingboard，JimmieDalereachedthewallandfeltalongittothewindow，theloweredgeofwhosesillwasjustslightlybelowthelevelofhisshoulder。Itopenedinward，ifherememberedcorrectly。Hisfingerswerefeelingforthefastenings。

Itwastoodarktoseeathing。Hemutteredinannoyance。Wherewerethefastenings！Atthesides，oratthebottom？Hishandbegantomakeacircuitofthesill——andthensuddenly，withalow，sharpcry，heleanedforward！

WHATDIDTHISMEAN？Wires！Nowireshadeverbeentherebefore！

Hisfingerswereworkingnowwithfeverishhaste，telegraphingtheirmessagetohisbrain。Thewiresranthroughthesillclosetothecornerofthewall——tinyfragmentsofwood，asfromanauger，werestillonthesill——andherewasasmallparticleofwireinsulationthat，thosesensitivefingertipsproclaimed，wasFRESH。

AcoldthrillranthroughJimmieDale；andtherecameagainthatsickeningsenseofimpotencyinthefaceofthemalignant，devilishcunningarrayedagainsthim，thatoncebeforehehadexperienced，thatnight。Hehadthoughttoforestallthem——andhehadbeenforestalledhimself！Thiscouldonlyhavebeendone——theyhadhadnointerestinhimbeforethen——whiletheyheldhimattheCrimeClub，whilehewasspendingthattwohoursinthecar！Wasthatwhytheyhadtakensolongincoming？Wasthatwhythecarhadstoppedthattime——thatthosewithhimmightbetoldthattheworkherehadbeencompleted，andheneednolongerbekeptaway？

Heedgedawayfromthewindow，and，ascautiouslyashehadcome，retracedhisstepsacrossthecellarandupthestairs——andthen，thepossibilityofbeingheardfromwithoutgone，hebrokeintoarun。Therewasnoneedtowonderlongwhatthosewiresmeant。Theycouldmeanonlyoneoftwothings——andtheCrimeClubwouldhavelittleconcerninhiselectriclight！THEYHADTAPPEDHIS

TELEPHONE。Themains，heknew，ranintothecellarfromtheundergroundserviceinthestreet。Hewasracinglikeamadmannow。

Howlongago，howmanyhoursago，hadtheydonethat！GreatScott，SHEwastohavetelephoned！Hadshedoneso？Wasthegame，all，everything，sheherself，attheirmercyalready？Ifshehadtelephoned，Jasonwouldhaveleftamessageonhisdesk——hewouldlooktherefirst——afterwardhewouldwakenJason。

Hegainedthedoorofhisdenonthefirstlanding，aroomthatrantheentirelengthofonesideofthehousefromfronttorear，burstin，switchedonthelight——andstoodstock-stillinamazement。

“Jason！“hecriedout。

Theoldbutler，fullydressed，rubbingandblinkinghiseyesatthelight，andwithastartledcry，roseupfromthedepthsofaloungingchair。

“Jason！“exclaimedJimmieDaleagain。

“Ibegpardon，sir，MasterJim，“stammeredtheman。“I——Imusthavefallenasleep，sir。”

“Jason，whatareyoudoinghere？“JimmieDaledemandedsharply。

“Well，sir，“saidJason，stillfumblingforhiswords，“it——itwasthetelephone，sir。”

“The——TELEPHONE！“

“Yes，sir。Awoman，beggingyourpardon，MasterJim，alady，sir，hasbeentelephoningeveryhourorso，andshe”

“YES！“JimmieDalehadjumpedacrosstheroomandhadcaughttheotherfiercelybytheshoulder。“Yes——yes！Whatdidshesay？

QUICK，man！“

“GoodLord，MasterJim！“falteredJason。“I——she”

“Jason，“saidJimmieDale，suddenlyascoldasice，“whatdidshesay？Think，man！Everyword！“

“Shedidn”tsayanything，MasterJim。Nothingatall，sir——excepttokeepaskingeachtimeifshecouldspeaktoyou。”

“Nothingelse，Jason？“

“No，sir。”

“YouareSURE？“

“I”msure，MasterJim。Notanotherthingbutthat，sir，justasI”vetoldyou。”

“ThankGod！“saidJimmieDale，inalowvoice。

“Yes，sir，“saidJasonmechanically。

“Howlongagowasitsinceshetelephonedlast？“askedJimmieDalequickly。

“Well，sir，Icouldn”trightlysay。Yousee，asIsaid，MasterJim，Imusthavegonetosleep，but”

Theywerestaringtenselyintoeachother”sface。Thetelephoneonthedeskwasringingvibrantly，clamourously，throughthestillnessoftheroom。

Jason，white，frightened，bewildered，touchedhislipswiththetipofhistongue。

“That”llbeheragain，sir，“hesaidhoarsely。

“Wait！“saidJimmieDaletersely。

Hewastryingtothink，tothinkfasterthanhehadeverthoughtbefore。HecouldnottellJasontosaythathehadnotyetcomein——

THEYknewhewasin，itwouldbebutshowinghishandtothat“someone“whowouldbelisteningnowonthewire。Hedarednotspeaktoher，or，aboveall，allowhertoexposeherselfbyasingleinadvertentword。Hedarednotspeaktoher——andshewasherenow，callinghim！Hecouldnotspeaktoher——anditwaslifeanddeathalmostthatsheshouldknowwhathadhappened；lifeanddeathalmostforbothofthemthatheshouldknowallandeverythingshecouldtellhim。True，itwouldtakebutaminutetoruntothecellarandcutthosewires，whileJasonheldheronthepretenceofcallinghim，JimmieDale，tothe”phone；onlyaminutetocutthosewires——

andinsodoingadvertisetothesefiendsthefactthathehaddiscoveredtheirtrick；admit，asthoughinsomanywords，thattheirsuspicionsofhimwerejustified；layhimselfopentosomenewmovethathecouldnothopetoforesee；and，paramounttoallelse，robherandhimselfofthismastertrumptheCrimeClubhadplacedinhishands，bymeansofwhichtherewasachancethathecouldhoistthemwiththeirownpetard！

Thetelephonerangagain——imperatively，persistently。

“Listen，Jason。”JimmieDalewasspeakingrapidly，earnestly。“SaythatI”vecomeinandhavegonetobed——inavilehumour。Thatyoutoldmealadyhadbeencalling，butthatIsaidifshecalledagainIwasn”ttobedisturbedifitwastheQueenofShebaherself——thatIwouldn”tanswerany”phoneto-nightforanybody。Doyouunderstand？Noargumentwithher——justthat。Now，answer！“

Jasonliftedthereceiverfromthehook。

“Yes——hello！“hesaid。“Yes，ma”am，Mr。Dalehascomein，buthehasretired……Yes，Itoldhim；but，beggingyourpardon，ma”am，hewasinwhatImightsaywasabitofatemper，andsaidhewasn”ttobedisturbedbyanyone。”

JimmieDalesnatchedthereceiverfromJason，andputittohisownear。

“KindlytellMr。Dalethatunlesshecomestothe”phonenow，“afemininevoice，hervoice，inwell-simulatedindignation，wassaying，“itwillbeaverylongdaybeforeIshalltroublemyselfto”

JimmieDaleclappedhishandfirmlyoverthemouthpieceoftheinstrument。ThankGodforthatcleverbrainofhers！Sheunderstood！

“Repeatwhatyousaidbefore，Jason，“heinstructedhurriedly。

“Thensay”Good-night。”“

Heremovedhishandfromthemouthpiece。

“It”squiteuseless，ma”am，“saidJasonapologetically。“Intheraretemperhewasin，hewouldn”tcome，tousehisownwords，ma”am，notfortheQueenofShebaherself，ma”am。Good-night，ma”am。”

JimmieDalehungthereceiverbackonthehook——andwithhishandflirtedawayabeadofmoisturethathadsprungtohisforehead。

“GoodLord，MasterJim，what”swrong，sir？What”shappened，sir？

And——andthoseclothes，MasterJim，sir！Theyaren”ttheonesyouwentoutin，sir——theyaren”tyoursatall，sir！“Jasonventuredanxiously。

“Jason，“saidJimmieDale，“switchoffthelight，andgotothefrontwindowandlookout。Keepwellbehindthecurtains。Don”tshowyourself。Tellmeifyouseeanything。”

“Yes，sir，“saidJasonobediently。

Thelightwentout。JimmieDalemovedtotherearoftheroom——tothewindowoverlookingthegarageandyard。

“Idon”tseeanything，sir，“Jasoncalled。

“Watch！“JimmieDaleanswered。

Aminutepassed——two——three。JimmieDalewasstaringdownintotheblackoftheyard。Sheunderstood！Sheknew，ofcourse，beforeshe”phonedthatsomethinghadgonewrongto-night。Sheknewthatonlyperilofthegravestmomentwouldhavekepthimfromthe”phone——andher。Sheknewnow，asalogicalconclusion，thatitwasdangeroustoattempttocommunicatewithhimathishome。Thosewires！Wheredidtheyleadto？Notfaraway——thatwouldbealmostamechanicalimpossibility。WasitintotheCrimeClubitself——nearathand？Orthebasement，say，ofthatapartmenthouseacrossthedriveway？

Or——where？

AndthenJimmieDalespokeagain：

“Doyouseeanything，Jason？“

“I”mnotsure，sir，“Jasonansweredhesitantly。“IthoughtIsawamanmovebehindatreeoutthereacrosstheroadaminuteago，sir。

Yes，sir——thereheisagain！“

Therewasathin，mirthlesssmileonJimmieDale”slips。

Below，intheshadowofthegarage，adarkform，likeadeepershadow，stirred——andwasstillagain。

“Whattimeisit，Jason？“JimmieDaleaskedpresently。

“It”llbeabouthalf-pastfour，sir。”

“Gotobed，Jason。”

“Yes，sir；but“——Jason”svoice，low，troubled，camethroughthedarknessfromtheupperendoftheroom”MasterJim，sir，I”

“Gotobed，Jason——andnotawordofthis。”

“Yes，sir。Good-night，MasterJim。”

“Good-night，Jason。”

JimmieDalegropedhiswaytothebigloungingchairinwhichhehadfoundJasonasleep，andflunghimselfintoit。Theyhadstruckquickly，theseingenious，dress-suitedmurderersoftheCrimeClub！