l," said the manager, making a note of the numbers.

They left a much startled banker peering through his window-screen.

The public library was but a few blocks from the bank. George Deaves
wished to take a taxicab, but Evan advised against it. Their little
grey shadow followed them to the door of the great building but did not
enter. Having satisfied themselves of this, they got in touch with one
of the assistant librarians, and put their case up to him.

The magic name of Deaves acted like a talisman. The plan was carefully
laid. George Deaves proceeded to the reading-room and, calling for
Lockhart's "History of the Crimean War," retired to a corner and placed
the bills between the leaves as specified. The books were then
returned to the desk, and Deaves with the connivance of the librarian
was spirited out of the building by the delivery entrance. This was to
prevent the watcher outside from remarking that, whereas two entered,
only one came out. When neither returned he would naturally suppose
that both had slipped past him.

Meanwhile Evan waited in the librarian's private office, arrangements
having been made to notify him by phone when the books were called for
again. They would hold up the books at the delivery desk long enough
to allow Evan to reach the reading-room. It was a long wait. The
librarian offered him books, but he could not apply his mind.

"You're sure there's no chance of a slip-up among so many clerks?" he
said anxiously. "One may forget."

"We're not trusting to their memories. The librarian in charge of
delivery is a friend of mine. Lockhart's History is in his desk, and
in its place on the shelf is pinned a ticket, 'apply to the librarian.'"

At last the message came over the phone: "Lockhart's 'History of the
Crimean War' called for from seat 433."

Evan's heart accelerated its pace a little. "Whereabouts in the room
is that seat?"

"The last table in the south end on the right-hand side."

"Ha! He wants to get in the corner! Can I get there without marching
down the whole length of the room?"

"Yes, you can approach from the other side through the American History
room."

Hastening through various corridors of the vast building, they found
themselves among the American History collections gathered in the
smaller room adjoining the great hall on the south. This room was
completely lined with books, and lighted by a skylight. It
communicated with the main read