delinquencies of Forbes were concealed from her and from her aunt,
at least as far as Warrington had it in his power to shield the
man who was his friend--and rival.

The voice of Dillon recalled me from a train of pure speculation
to the more practical work in hand before us.

"Well, at any rate, we've got evidence enough to protect ourselves
and close the place, even if we didn't make any captures,"
congratulated Dillon, as he rejoined us, after a momentary
excursion from which he returned still blinking from the effects
of the flashlight powders which his photographer had been using
freely. "After we get all the pictures of the place, I'll have the
stuff here removed to headquarters--and it won't be handed back on
any order of the courts, either, if I can help it!"

Garrick had shoved the markers into his pocket and now was leading
the way downstairs.

"Still, Dillon," he remarked, as we followed, "that doesn't shed
any light on the one remaining problem. How did they all manage to
get out so quickly?"

We had reached the basement which contained the kitchens for the
buffet and quarters for the servants. A hasty excursion into the
littered back yard under the guidance of Dillon's men who had been
sent around that way netted us nothing in the way of information.
They had not made their escape over the back fences. Such a number
of people would certainly have left some trail, and there was
none.