went in, then slunk in himself by the back way and climbed through
an open window into the cellar.

Quietly he made his way up through the cellar until finally he
reached the library. Listening carefully he could hear us talking
in the conservatory. Stealthily he moved out of the library.

We had left the conservatory when he entered, peering through the
palms. On he stole till he came to the fountain. He looked about.
There, bobbing up and down, was the model of the torpedo for which
he had dared so much. He picked it up and looked at it, gloating.

The crook was about to move back toward the library, hugging the
precious model close to himself when he heard Jennings coming. He
started back to the conservatory. Jennings entered just in time to
catch a fleeting glimpse of some one. His suspicions were roused
and he followed.

The crook reached the conservatory and opened a glass window
leading out into the little garden beside the house. He was about
to step out when the sound of voices in the garden arrested him.
Elaine, Aunt Josephine and I had gone out and Elaine was showing
me a new rose which had just been sent her.

The crook fell back and dropped down behind the palms. Jennings
looked about, but saw no one and stood there puzzled. Then the
crook, fearing that he might be captured at any moment, looked
about to see where he might hide the torpedo. There did not seem
to be any place. Quickly he began to dig out the earth in one of
the palm pots. He dropped the torpedo, wrapped still in the