best officer I had. Why the devil did you go into the
Constabulary without talking to me?"

Stormont's upper lip seemed inclined to twitch but he controlled it and
scowled at space.

"Go to bed, you darned fool," said Darragh, carelessly. "You'll find
dry things ready. Ralph will take care of your uniform and boots."

Then he went into his own quarters to read two letters which, conforming
to arrangements made with Mrs. Ray the day he had robbed Emanuel Sard,
were to be sent to Trout Lodge to await his arrival.

Both, written from the Ritz, bore the date of the day before: the first
he opened was from the countess Orloff-Strelwitz:

"Dear Captain Darragh:

"-- You are so wonderful! Your messenger, with the _ten_ thousand
dollars which you say you already have recovered from those miscreants
who robbed Ricca, came aboard our ship before we landed. It was a
godsend; we were nearly penniless, -- and oh, _so_ shabby!

"Instantly, my friend, we shopped, Ricca and I. Fifth Avenue
enchanted us. All misery was forgotten in the magic of that paradise
for women.

"Yet, spendthrifts that we naturally are, we were not silly enough to
be extravagant. Ricca was wild for American sport-clothes. I, also.
Yet -- only _two_ gowns apiece, excepting our sport clothes. And other
necessaries. Don't you think we were economical?"

"Furthermore, dear Captain Darragh, we are hastening to follow your
instructions. We are leaving to-day for your chateau in the wonderful
forest, of which you told us of that never-to-be-day in Riga.

"Your agent is politeness, consideration and kindness itself. We have
our accommodations. We leave New York at midnight.

"Ricca is so excited that it is difficult for her to restrain her
happiness. God knows the child has seen enough unhappiness to quench
the gaiety of anybody!

"Well, all things end. Even tears. Even the Red Terror shall pass
from our beloved Russia. For, after all, Monsieur, God still lives.

"VALENTINE."

"P.S. Ricca has written to you. I have read the letter. I have let
it go uncensored."

* * * * *

Darragh went to the door of his room:

"Ralph! Ralph!" he called. And, when Wier hurriedly appeared:

"What time does the midnight train from New York get into Five Lakes?"

"A little before nine----"

"You can make it in the flivver, can't you?"

"Yes, if I start _now._"

"All right. Two ladies. You're to bring them to the _hous