wore uniforms of guards. Keeping close to the wall their
followers crept after them. Up another flight of steps they
went, and then through a spacious hall. The Americans had no
time and no desire to inspect their surroundings. The wide doors
at the far side of the room opened softly, and here the trio
paused. Down a great marble hallway a dim red light shed its
soft glow. It came from the lamp at the foot of the broad
staircase.

The cook pointed to the steps, and then gave his thumb a jerk
toward the left. Without the least sign of fear Geddos and
Ostrom glided into the hall and made for the staircase. The
watchers could not but feel a thrill of admiration for these
daring wretches. But now a new danger confronted them. The cook
remained standing in the doorway, watching his fellows in crime!
How were they to pass him?

There was no time to be lost. The abductors were creeping up the
steps already, and the cook must be disposed of. He had blown
out the light which he carried, and was now a very dim shadow.
Lorry glided forward and in an instant stood before the amazed
fellow, jamming a pistol into his face.

"A sound and you die!" he hissed.

"Don't move!" came another whisper, and a second revolver touched
his ear. The cook, perhaps, did not know their language, but he
certainly understood its meaning. He trembled, and would have
fallen to the floor had not the strong hand of Lorry pinned him
to the wall. The hand was on his throat, too.