the very devil of a fellow. With what consummate skill he had played his
hand! Now the pursuit of the Maitland burglar would be abandoned; the news
item suppressed at Headquarters. And it was equally certain that Maitland
(when eventually liberated) would be at pains to keep his part of the
affair very much in shadow.

The masquerader ventured a mystical smile at the world in general.
One pictured the evening when the infatuated detective should find it
convenient to drop in on the exclusive Mr. Maitland....

"Mr. Anisty?"




VII


ILLUMINATION

In a breath was self-satisfaction banished; simultaneously the masquerader
brought his gaze down from the ceiling, his thoughts to earth, his
vigilance to the surface, and himself to his feet, summoning to his aid all
that he possessed of resource and expedient.

Trapped!--the word blazed incandescent in his brain. So long had he
foreseen and planned against this very moment.

Yet panic swayed him for but a little instant; as swiftly as it had
overcome him it subsided, leaving him shocked, a shade more pale, but