a tree that could
easily be distinguished from the others, either by its size or by some
peculiarity of form. Also, the tree must have a hollow place in which the
envelope could be concealed. Orme now decided that Walsh must have found
his tree first and then paced westward to the fence. The even number, one
hundred paces north from the gate, could be only a coincidence.

A little to his left Orme discovered a trunk much larger than its
neighbors. It ran up smoothly about eight feet to the first limb. An
agile man could easily get up to this limb and pull himself into the
branches. A cavity such as are so common in oaks, would furnish a good
place for hiding the envelope away.

He looked up. Suddenly a light appeared among the branches. It was a
short ray, striking against the trunk. Before Orme could realize what was
happening a hand appeared in the little bar of radiance and was inserted
apparently into the trunk of the tree. A moment later it was withdrawn.
It held an oblong of white.

Involuntarily Orme took a step forward. A twig cracked under his foot.
Instantly the light went out.

Orme drew the wrench from his pocket and stood tense. There was no other
tree quite close enough for the man above him to spring to its branches.
He would have to drop near Orme.

Standing there, the wrench in his hand, Orme felt that the advantage was
his. He heard rustlings in the branches above his head and kept himself
alert to guard against the man dropping on his shoulders.

To strike the Japanese down as he dropped from the tree, that was his
plan. But meantime, where was the other Japanese? Was he among the near
shadows? If so, he might even now be creeping stealthily toward Orme. The
likelihood of such an attack was disconcerting to think of. But as Orme
was wondering about it, it occurred to him that the man in the tree would
not have gone on guard so quickly, if his confederate were near at hand.
It was natural that he should have put the light out, but would he not
immediately afterward have given some signal to the friend below? And
would he not take it for granted that, were a stranger near, his watcher
would have managed to give warning? No, the other Japanese could not be
on guard.

Perhaps, thought Orme, only one of them had come on this quest. He hoped
that this might be the case. He could deal with one.

The man in the tree was taking his own time to descend. Doubtless he
would await a favorable moment, then