you been told that there is a window on that lower floor which does
not stay fastened? I speak of it that you may have it repaired as
soon as the police vacate. It's the last one in the hall leading
to the negro quarters. If you shake it hard enough, the catch falls
back and any one can raise it even from the outside."

"I will see to it," he replied, dropping his eyes, possibly to hide
their curious twinkle. "But what do you mean about finding something
in the wall behind that old picture? I've never heard"

But though he spoke quickly and shouted the last words after me at
the top of his voice, I was by this time too far away to respond
save by a dubious smile and a semi-patronizing wave of the hand. Not
until I was nearly out of earshot did I venture to shout back the
following words:

"I'll be back in an hour. If anything happens - if the boys annoy
you, or any one attempts to enter the old house, telephone to the
station or summon the officer at the corner. I don't believe any
harm will come from leaving the place to itself for a while." Then
I walked around the block.

When I arrived in front again it was quite dark. So was the house;
but there was light in the library. I felt assured that I should
find Uncle David there, and I did. When, after a noiseless entrance
and a careful advance through the hall, I threw open the door beyond
the gilded pillars, it was to see the tall figure of this old man
mounted upon the chair I had left there, peering up at the nail from
which I had so lately lifted the picture. He started as I presented
myself and almost fell from the chair. But the careless laugh I