sat for a moment longer, his lips curled in a sardonic
smile. Then he touched a bell. A burly fellow in livery answered it.

"Arm yourself," said Pachmann, "and bring your comrade."

The man was back again in a moment, bringing another giant with him.
Each had, strapped about his waist, an ammunition-belt from which
depended in its holster a heavy revolver. They saluted and stood at
attention, while the Admiral looked them over.

"You will stand guard in the lower hall to-night," he said, at last;
"turn and turn about, one sleeping on the floor at the stair-foot and
with the hall fully lighted. Under no pretext, will you permit any one
to enter the house or leave it. In case of any disturbance, of any
suspicious circumstance, however slight, you will summon me at once. You
have revolvers--do not hesitate to use them in case of need--even
against a woman. You understand? Good! Has there some baggage come?"

"Two pieces, sir."

"Clear the table and bring them up to me." He leaned back and finished
his cigar, while the men clumsily cleared the table and placed two
battered suit-cases upon it.

"The servants who prepared the dinner have departed?" the Admiral asked.

"They departed some time ago, sir."

"You are sure that all doors and windows are secured?"

"We have just made the round, sir."

"And the young lady?"

"We have heard nothing from her, sir."

"The young man?"

"I glanced in at him, sir, some time ago. He was lying on his bed, with
his eyes closed, but I do not think he slept."

"Did he have dinner?"

"We had no orders to that effect, sir."

"Good; let him go hungry. You will serve him no food until I order it.
That is all."

They saluted and withdrew.

Pachmann turned to a leisurely examination of the suit-cases. They were
unlocked, and he soon found the queer box with sides of glass lined with
tin-foil. He snatched it up eagerly, but after a glance at it, his face
fell.

"So he was telling the truth!" he muttered. "Well, so much the worse for
him!"

Nevertheless he examined the box attentively, with minute concentration,
noting the arrangement of the interior plates, the scheme of
wiring--each detail. Then, with it in his hand, he left the room, saw
that his men were on guard, mounted to the upper story, unbolted a door
there and entered. Closing the door carefully behind him, he switched on
the lights, placed the box on the table, and entered the room beyond.
Here, too, he turned