outcome of the conference, the Rodney forces made their way to the
offices--not altogether in an open fashion, but by humiliatingly unusual
avenues. The Rodney family came down the back stairs. Brock was solemnly
ushered through the public office by Mr. Odell-Carney and Freddie
Ulstervelt. It is not stretching the truth to say that they were sour
and sullen, but, as may be suspected, from peculiarly different causes.
At last all were congregated in the stuffy office, very much subdued and
very much at odds with each other. Mr. Githens was there. Likewise the
gentleman from the bank and a prominent person from the department of
police.

Miss Fowler glanced about uneasily, and was relieved to discover that
her treacherous gaoler was not there to confront her with charges. It
had occurred to her that he might, after all, have tricked her into
committing a crime against the government.

It was quite noticeable that Mrs. Rodney and Katherine did not speak to
the Medcroft contingent--in fact, they ignored them quite completely.
Mrs. Rodney was very pale and very deeply distressed. She cast many
glances at the red-eyed and sheepish Mr. Rodney,--glances that meant
much to the further torture of his soul.

"I am sorry to inform you, Herr Rodney, that the rooms which you now
occupy, and those of your friends, are no longer at your disposal. They
have been engaged for from sometime this day by a--"

"Look here," interrupted Odell-Carney bluntly, "if you mean that we are
not wanted here any longer, why not say so? Don't lie about it. We are
leaving to-day, in any event, so wot's the odds? Now, come down to
facts: why are we summoned here like a crowd of school children?"