y dear sir." Alcatrante laughed.

"Is it your custom to lock people into air-tight chambers?"

"Air-tight?" Alcatrante was clearly disconcerted. "I did not suppose that
it was air-tight. Also, I did not dream that the young lady was there.
But this game is a serious game, Mr. Orme. You do not appear to
understand. When one is working for his country, many strange things are
justified."

"Even murder?"

"Even murder--sometimes."

Orme had an inspiration. "Thank you for the truth, Senhor," he said. "I,
too, am working for my country. If you continue to follow us, I shall
assume that you have murder in your mind, and I shall act accordingly."

Alcatrante smiled coolly.

"This is fair warning," continued Orme.

He glanced to the drug store and saw the girl coming out of the
telephone-booth. Hastening across the street, he met her at the door.

"If father had had any idea of such complications when we came West," she
said, "there would have been plenty of men near by to help us. As it is,
we shall have to act alone. It is not a matter for detectives--or for the
police, I--I almost wish it were," she faltered.

Orme wondered again whether this father could have realized what dangers
the girl was encountering. But, as if divining his sudden anger against
the man who could let his daughter run such risks, she added: "He doesn't
know, of course, the details of our adventures. I have permitted him to
think that it is simply a matter of searching."

"And now he is reassured."

"Yes. Oh, you have no idea yet how important it is."

"You were a long time in the booth," he said.

A mysterious smile flittered across her face. "I thought of another
person I wished to talk to. That person was hard to get."

"Long distance?"

"It proved necessary to use long distance."

Then she caught a glimpse of the figure across the street. "There's Mr.
Alcatrante," she exclaimed.

"Yes, I have just had a talk with him."

Her face showed concern.

"Don't let him worry you, dear," he added. "He will try to balk us. We
must expect that. But I think I can take care of him."

"I believe it," she said, softly.

He wondered whether she could guess how relentlessly he was planning to
deal with Alcatrante. Would she justify the course he had in mind? As to
her attitude, he felt doubtful. Perhaps she did not agree with the South
American that murder was sometimes necessary in the service of one's
country.

Moreover, while Alcatran