t into the open air.

He was nearly exhausted when at last his task-master told him he could
put it down as he stood still for a minute or two to recover his breath
and strength.

The night was not very dark, for a young moon was shining in a clear
sky, and it appeared to Dunn, as he felt his strength returning, that
now at last he might find an opportunity of making an attack upon his
captor with some chance of success.

Hitherto, in the house, in the bright glare of the gas lights, he had
known that the first suspicious movement he made would have ensured his
being instantly and remorselessly shot down, his mission unfulfilled.

But here in the open air, in the night that the moon illumined but
faintly, it was different, and as he watched for his opportunity he felt
that sooner or later it was sure to come.

But Deede Dawson was alert and wary, his pistol never left his hand, he
kept so well on his guard he gave Dunn no opening to take him unawares,
and Dunn did not wish to run too desperate a chance, since he was sure
that sooner or later one giving fair chance of success would present
itself.

"Do you want it carried any further?" he asked. "It's very heavy."

"I suppose you mean you're wondering what's in it?" said Deede Dawson
sharply.

"It's nothing to me what's in it--silver or anything else," retorted
Dunn. "Do you want me to carry it further, that's all I asked?"

"No," answered Deede Dawson. "No, I don't. Do you know, if you knew what
was really in it, you'd be surprised?"

"Very likely," answered Dunn. "Why not?"

"Yes, you would be surprised," Deede Dawson repeated, and suddenly
shouted into the darkness: "Are you ready? Are you ready there?"

Dunn was very startled, for somehow, he had supposed all along that
Deede Dawson was quite alone.

There was no answer to his call, but after a minute or two there was
the sound of a motor-car engine starting and then a big car came gliding
forward and stopped in front of them, driven by a form so muffled in
coats and coverings as to be indistinguishable in that faint light.

"Put the case inside," Deede Dawson said. "I'll help you."

With some trouble they succeeded in getting the case in and Deede Dawson
covered it carefully with a big rug.

When he had done so he stepped back.

"Ready, Ella?" he said.

"Yes," answered the girl's soft and low voice that already Dunn could
have sworn to amidst a thousand others.

CHAPTER X. THE NEW GARDENE