ied.

Mr. Peters shortly bade the company good-by for the night, with the
warmly expressed hope in Mr. Magee's ear that there would be no further
additions to the circle in the near future. When he had started off
through the snow for his shack, Mr. Cargan took out his watch.

"You've been pretty kind to us poor wanderers already," he said. "I got
one more favor to ask. I come up here to see Mr. Bland. We got some
business to transact, and we'd consider it a great kindness if you was
to leave us alone here in the office."

Mr. Magee hesitated. He saw the girl nod her head slightly, and move
toward the stairs.

"Certainly, if you wish," he said. "I hope you won't go without saying
good-by, Mr. Cargan."

"That all depends," replied the mayor. "I've enjoyed knowing you, one
and all. Good night."

The women, the professor and Mr. Magee moved up the broad stairway. On
the landing Mr. Magee heard the voice of Mrs. Norton, somewhere in the
darkness ahead.

"I'm worried, dearie--real worried."

"Hush," came the girl's voice. "Mr. Magee-we'll meet again--soon."

Mr. Magee seized the professor's arm, and together they stood in the
shadows.

"I don't like the looks of things," came Bland's hoarse complaint from
below. "What time is it?"

"Seven-thirty." Cargan answered. "A good half-hour yet."

"There was somebody on the second floor when I went up," Bland
continued. "I saw him run into one of the rooms and lock the door."

"I've got charge now," the mayor reassured him, "don't you worry."

"There's something doing." This seemed to be Max's voice.

"There sure is," laughed Cargan. "But what do I care? I own young
Drayton. I put him where he is. I ain't afraid. Let them gumshoe round
as much as they want to. They can't touch me."

"Maybe not," said Bland. "But Baldpate Inn ain't the grand idea it
looked at first, is it?"

"It's a hell of an idea," answered Cargan. "There wasn't any need of all
this folderol. I told Hayden so. Does that phone ring?"

"No--it'll just flash a light, when they want us," Bland told him.

Mr. Magee and Professor Bolton continued softly up the stairs, and in
answer to the former's invitation, the old man entered number seven and
took a chair by the fire.

"It is an amazing tangle," he remarked, "in which we are involved. I
have no idea what your place is in the scheme of things up here. But I
assume you grasp what is going on, if I do not. I am not so keen of wit
as I once was."