With that characteristic directness which I have always thought
accounted in large measure for his success, he wasted scarcely a
word in coming straight to the object of his visit. "Professor
Kennedy," he began, chewing his cigar and gazing about with
evident interest at the apparatus Craig had collected in his
warfare of science with crime, "I have dropped in here as a matter
of patriotism. I want you to preserve to America those
masterpieces of art and literature which I have collected all over
the world during many years. They are the objects of one of the
most curious pieces of vandalism of which I have ever heard.
Professor Kennedy," he concluded earnestly, "could I ask you to
call on Dr. Hugo Lith, the curator of my private museum, as soon
as you can possibly find it convenient?"

"Most assuredly, Mr. Spencer," replied Craig, with a whimsical
side glance at me that told without words that this was better
relaxation to him than either the Metropolitan or the "movies." "I
shall be glad to see Dr. Lith at any time--right now, if it is
convenient to him."

The millionaire connoisseur consulted his watch. "Lith will be at
the museum until six, at least. Yes, we can catch him there. I
have a dinner engagement at seven myself. I can give you half an
hour of the time before then. If you're ready, just jump into the
car, both of you."

The museum to which he referred was a handsome white marble
building, in Renaissance, fronting on a side street just off Fifth
Avenue and in the rear of the famous Spencer house, itself one of