fluttered around him as he opened the trap; one door in their cote at
the rear of the building was closed. Mr. Wynne opened this door,
reached in and detached a strip of tissue paper from the leg of a
snow-white pigeon. He unfolded it eagerly; on it was written: Safe.
I love you. D.



CHAPTER VIII

SOME CONJECTURES

Mr. Gustave Schultze dropped in to see Mr. Latham after luncheon, and
listened with puckered brows to a recital of the substance of the
detective's preliminary report, made the afternoon before.

"Mr. Birnes left here rather abruptly," Mr. Latham explained in
conclusion, "saying he would see me again, either last night or
to-day. He has not appeared yet, and it may be that when he comes he
will be able to add materially to what we now know."

The huge German sat for a time with vacant eyes.

"Der gread question, Laadham," he observed at last, gravely, "iss
vere does Vynne ged dem."

"I know that--I know it," said Mr. Latham impatiently. "That is the
very question we are trying to solve."

"Und if we don'd solve him, Laadham, ve'll haf to do vatever as he