y's yesterday morning. Possibly a practical
joke on some clerk's part, but that doesn't matter. You see, there is a
twenty-four hour dial for the alarm, and it was set at a little before
XIX, corresponding to about a quarter of seven."

"But your watch says a quarter of eight," I objected.

"I set it an hour ahead," answered Indiman. "I'm not altogether a fool,
and although I was certain that Grenelli would weaken, I wanted some
leeway for myself and you. Undoubtedly, the infernal machine was timed
for eight o'clock, and Grenelli knew it. He tried to hold on long
enough to insure our destruction, and yet get away himself, but he
couldn't be sure of those last few minutes. By-the-way, the box
containing the bomb must be at his house. It ought to be put out of
business at once. Can you get the fellow on his feet?"

But it took some time to bring the man around, and it was more than
half an hour later before we got away, the three of us together in a
hansom. I should say that the lodging occupied by Grenelli and Day was
the loft of a disused private stable, situated in a side street, three
or four blocks off, and the driver was instructed to get there as
quickly as possible. As we passed a jeweler's place Grenelli glanced at
the electric-clock dial in the window and saw that it was twenty-five
minutes of eight. He had been deceived, then; he knew it instantly.
"But it worked both ways," he sneered. "I have my secret still."

"Quite so," answered Indiman, and smiled.

At the corner we were halted by a hail from the sidewalk. It was
Brownson, of the detective bureau.

"Sorry to bother you, Mr. Indiman, but I want that man with you.
Charged with larceny of a package consigned to Oceanic Express Company.
I've been waiting for him all night."

"By all means, officer," and the three of us got out.

"I managed it pretty well, I think," continued Brownson. "Searched
every nook and corner of the stable where Grenelli and Day lived, and
finally I found the parcel. It answered precisely to the description,
and I sent it down by Officer Smith to the RUSSIA not more than an hour
ago."

"To the RUSSIA! Why she sailed yesterday afternoon at four o'clock."

"Slight accident to her low-pressure cylinder," explained Brownson.
"She was delayed for several hours and was to sail early this morning.
I beg your pardon--why, excuse me, Mr. Indiman--"

There was a public telephone in the corner shop, and Indiman dashed
into the booth,