were all over at last, and the curious,
fragmentary story was pieced together. Detective Barnes took up the
little bronze box and examined it carefully, experimenting, as they all
had done, to find a way of opening it--and, of course, unsuccessfully.

"There's one thing that puzzles me, though," remarked Ted, "about that
queer type-written note. How and why and by whom was it left originally?"

"It was written on thin, foreign-looking paper," replied the detective,
"and I can only guess that the foreigners left it there, though probably
not on their first trip that afternoon. No doubt they either went to the
village, or, more likely, returned to the city to talk it over, perhaps
with Gaines. And he, supposing I had long since captured the prize, and
to put them off the scent, suggested that some one nearby may have been
meddling with the matter and that they leave a warning for them. I feel
rather certain he must have done this to gain time, for he knew that if I
had found the thing, I would immediately set about having him released,
and he must have wondered why I hadn't done so. Perhaps he thought I was
having difficulty locating the house where they had him hidden. But,
Great Scott!--that makes me think!--They must by this time have
discovered the trick you played, Miss Phyllis, and be jumping mad over
having been so fooled. Perhaps they think Gaines is responsible for it,
and they'll certainly be making it hot for _him!_ I must get to the city
immediately and get him out of that hole. Oughtn't to waste another
minute. If you can spare your car, Miss Eileen, I'd like to run up to the
city with it, as I know there are no more trains to-night. I'll guarantee
to fetch it and Gaines both back in the morning!"

"You certainly may have it," replied Eileen, "and you may take me with
you and leave me at the hospital, on the way. Grandfather must know of
this at once. I'm positive he'll recover now, since the worry is all
over. But first, wouldn't you all like to see something? I happen to know
the secret of opening this box. Grandfather showed it to me when I was a
little girl, and he used to let me play with it."

She took a pin from her dress, inserted it into the carved eye of the
dragon and pressed it in a certain fashion--and the lid of the bronze box
flew up! They all pressed forward eagerly and gazed in. There lay the
packet of foreign letters, safe and sound. Eileen lifted them and looked
curiously underneath. Not