f the intelligence that employs them. Who and what is
back of this affair? You, Grenelli, are going to tell me."

"Never!"

"Don't be too hasty. Think it over. We have plenty of time before us."

"I don't understand."

"You will presently. Thorp, my dear fellow, will you see that the
servants are cleared out of the house at once. Let them all go to the
show at the New Academy--at my expense, of course--and they needn't
return until noon to-morrow. Make them understand that these are their
orders. Then come back here, if you will."

When I returned to the library I found Grenelli seated at one end of
the big centre-table and Indiman opposite him. In Indiman's right hand
was a revolver, and the express package, addressed to S. A. Davidge,
Exeter, England, lay on the table between them. The arrangement looked
studied. It gave me an uncomfortable feeling--a well-founded one, as I
was immediately to learn.

"Take my place for a moment," said Indiman. He went to the clock on the
mantel-piece and stopped it. When he came back to the table he had his
watch in his hand; he laid it face downward by the pistol. "Do you
carry a timepiece?" he inquired of Grenelli. The prisoner shook his
head. "Very good," continued Indiman. "We are now ready for our little
experiment. Let me again have your best attention.

"The box containing the infernal machine lies on the table there. Mr.
Grenelli knows at what hour the exploding mechanism is set to act; I do
not. But seeing that the Russia sails to-day at four o'clock, we may
assume that the explosion must be timed for to-morrow morning, when the
vessel would be well out to sea. Certainly, not earlier; possibly some
hours later. It makes no particular difference, for we are going to sit
quietly here at the table with that curious box between us until
something happens. Either Mr. Grenelli is going to give me that
information or--he isn't. But in the latter case it will be of no
further use to either of us. Do I make myself quite clear?"

The ticking of the mechanism concealed in the box sounded like the
blows of a trip-hammer. Grenelli lit a cigarette with a poor
affectation of bravado. "I can stand as much of it as you can," he
said, insolently.

"You have the advantage of KNOWING how much," retorted Indiman. "But
we'll wait and see who's the best man. And in the mean time, Thorp, old
chap, I think you'd better cut your stick. Just bring up some biscuits
and a bottle of Scotch, and