was reassuring. Apparently, over their whiskey-and-soda the two men
were still lingering at the dinner-table. For the moment, then--so
far, at least, as they were concerned --the coast was clear.

Stepping cautiously, and keeping close to the wall, Ford ran
lightly up the stairs to the hall of the third floor. It was lit
brightly by a gas-jet, but no one was in sight, and the three doors
opening upon it were shut. At the rear of the hall was a window;
the blind was raised, and through the panes, dripping in the rain,
Ford caught a glimpse of the rigid iron rods of a fire-escape. His
spirits leaped exultantly. If necessary, by means of this scaling
ladder, he could work entirely from the outside. Greatly elated, he
tiptoed past the closed doors and mounted to the fourth floor. This
also was lit by a gas-jet that showed at one end of the hall a
table on which were medicine-bottles and a tray covered by a
napkin; and at the other end, piled upon each other and blocking
the hall-window, were three steamer- trunks. Painted on each were
the initials, "D. D." Ford breathed an exclamation.

"Dosia Dale," he muttered, "I have found you!" He was again
confronted by three closed doors, one leading to a room that faced
the street, another opening upon a room in the rear of the house,
and opposite, across the hallway, still another door. He observed
that the first two doors were each fastened from the outside by
bolts and a spring lock, and that the key to each lock was in
place. The fact moved him with indecision. If he took possession of
the keys, he could enter the rooms at his pleasure. On the other
hand, should their loss be discovered, an alarm would be raised and
he would inevitably come under suspicion. The very purpose he had
in view might be frustrated. He decided that where they were the