ages: 19, 69, 119, 169, 219. Then return the books to the
desk.

With kindest regards,

Yours very sincerely,
THE IKUNAHKATSI."

A noiseless whistle escaped from Evan's lips; his eyes were bright.
For the moment he forgot that he was the accused. His sole feeling was
one of the keenest curiosity. A fascinating mystery was suggested.
The impudent letter was like a challenge.

"May I see the enclosure?" he asked.

"No," said Deaves stiffly.

Evan shrugged. "What's the nature of it?"

"It's a would-be humorous account of the events in that little street
down-town."

"Is it a true story?"

Young Deaves turned to his elder. "Is it true, Papa?"

"In a way it's true," was the snarling reply. "From a certain point of
view. But it's blackguardly just the same."

Evan stroked his lip to hide a smile. "What makes you think I wrote
it?" he asked.

"Nobody else could have known all the circumstances."

"But we were watched and followed every step of the way."

"So you say."

"Why, you're surrounded by spies. I expect every servant in the house
is in the pay of this gang. I hadn't been in the house half an hour
before they approached me."

"What did I tell you?" the old man snarled to his son. "Why don't you
fire them?"

"How many times have I fired them? What good did it do? As fast as we
get a new lot they're corrupted from the outside."

"Then it's been going on for some time," said Evan. "I never had any
connection with Mr. Deaves until yesterday."

"How do we know that?"

"That's why you were so eager to get a job here," added the old man.
"To have a better chance of spying on me."

"Never thought of such a thing. The offer came from you."

"You paid your own fare on the trolley-car, didn't you? Mine, too!"

Evan laughed in exasperation. "Well, if that's an incriminating
circumstance I'm guilty!" he said.

"Don't be a fool, Papa," muttered George Deaves.

Evan went on: "If I was a member of the gang would I show my hand so
clearly? Would I betray the sources of my information? I tell you
Alfred told me yesterday there was good money to be made on the side in
this house."

"Why didn't you tell me that yesterday?" demanded Deaves.

"I wanted to find out what was up first. I know now."

George Deaves began to look impressed.

Evan made haste to follow up his advantage. "Have up the policeman. I
can tell him no more than I've told you. But the whole affair must be
w