ondon in the Rolls. Go out on the Portsmouth Road by
way of Kingston and Ditton, through Cobham, and on to Ripley. There,
about twenty miles from London, you will find on the left-hand side an
old-fashioned hotel called the Talbot. Stop there at half-past nine,
and, leaving Madame in the car, go in and have a drink. Edward Houston
will be awaiting you. Madame is just now at the Carlton. You will
pick her up at half-past eight."

"And Lola?" I asked, wondering if his daughter was to play any part in
this new piece of trickery, whatever it might be.

"She is going to Scarborough on Thursday afternoon," was her father's
reply.

"And when I meet this Mr. Houston," I asked, "what then?"

"You will not meet openly. When you've had your drink and he has seen
you, you will drive a little way along the road and there await him.
He does not wish to be seen with you. He's rather shy, you see!" and
the pleasant-faced man who controlled the most dangerous criminal gang
in Europe smiled sardonically. "He has his instructions, and you will
follow them. Take a suit-case with you, for you may be away a few
days, or longer."

I wondered what devilry he had now planned. I tried to obtain from him
some further details, but his replies were sharp and firm.

"Act just as I've told you, Hargreave. And please don't be so
infernally inquisitive." Then, wishing me good night, he turned and
left my room.

I longed there and then to defy him and refuse to obey, yet I dared
not, knowing full well the fate that would await me if I resisted.
Moreover, I had Lola to consider, and if I defied her father he most
certainly would not allow his daughter to marry me.

Next morning we left Enderby by train and returned to Overstow in the
late afternoon.

Duperre had gone up to Glasgow upon some mysterious business--crooked
without a doubt--so that night, after dining together, Rayne and I
played a game of billiards. While we were smoking in the library prior
to turning in, the footman tapped at the door and entered with a note.

Rayne tore it open, and as he read it, I noticed that his countenance
fell. A second later I saw that he was extremely annoyed.

He rose from his chair and for a few moments hesitated. Then, in a
rather thick voice, said:

"Show him in." After the servant had gone he turned to me, and in a
changed voice said: "Remain here, George. But never breathe a word of
what you hear to a living soul! Remember that!"

In a few m