ether," he said in a low tone. "Do you mount
your horse and ride on slowly, I will follow."

"But----"

"No buts; I can follow you, never fear; that's my business; do you go
straight home and prepare to admit me on the quiet. Stay--have you any
gelatine?"

"No."

"Any plaster of Paris?"

"No."

"Any wax?"

"Only a small quantity."

"Too bad; I must have some. There will be a drug store open?"

"At this hour? oh, yes."

"Then get me some, half a pound at least. Now move on, I hear a horse
coming down the road."

"Some farmer going home. Well, I'm off, then."

"And so am I."

Half an hour later Doctor Heath was standing in his open doorway,
wondering what had become of the detective, when a light touch upon his
shoulder caused him to start suddenly, and turning, he saw the man for
whom he watched, standing behind him, and within the dimly-lighted hall.

"Are we alone?" whispered the detective; "is the coast clear?"

[Illustration: "Are we alone?"]

"Quite clear; but how the mischief did you get in there, man?"

"Through the door," replied Bathurst, as he followed his host into a
cozy parlor, where a shaded lamp burned. "You are not a good sentinel;
why, I all but brushed you; have you no sense of feeling, then; why,
man, I can recognize a near presence in the darkest room."

"Now that I think of it," retorts the doctor, maliciously, "I did feel a
queer sensation in the ends of my thumbs. Make yourself at home now;
take that chair," rolling a comfortable-looking monster close to the
round table; "there are segars and--why--I say man, have you eaten any
thing since you started on this chase?"

"Now you mention it, I distinctly recollect, that I have not."

"Of course not; I will wake up Mrs. Gray."

"Pray don't; I couldn't think of eating Mrs. Gray."

"Nonsense!" laughs his host; "Mrs. Gray is my housekeeper, and she is
deaf as a post."

"Well, that's a comfort, the deafness. Is she dumb, too?"

"Unfortunately, no; but as I have not been home to dine, she will think
she is preparing my supper, and I will tell her you are a patient come
to be treated, and that I am going to give you a bed; here," tossing
something which he finds upon a bookcase, across to his guest, "tie your
face up in that rag, before she comes in. She will not give you a second
glance; she never troubles her head about my patients."

So saying, he goes out, and the detective proceeds to spread out the
"rag," to prepare hi