eilly
and Schmidt were to be guests of Winckel for the night. Much work had
been planned for the morning.

"Quiet, aren't they?" said Schmidt, as Winckel started to turn on the
light.

"I guess they are asleep," remarked O'Reilly. The light glared. A
moment's hush. There were astonished and wondering exclamations. The
ropes which had held the prisoners tied, were strewn about, but the
prisoners were nowhere.

"What can it mean?" exclaimed Winckel, searching vainly for an
explanation.

Wild guesses were made by the three as to how the escape was made.

"Well," said Winckel after awhile, "never mind how they escaped, the
important thing is--how much have they found out of our plans." He
showed plainly how disturbed he was.

"How can they have found out about our plans? Pretty far fetched to
imagine that they could have obtained any information--the chances
are that they did not escape until late this evening."

O'Reilly interrupted Schmidt. "Is there any way in which we can find
out the last time someone in the house saw the prisoners?"

"Good idea," said Winckel. "We shall soon find out."

The household was awakened. Inquiries and investigation showed that
Lauer, a trusted employee of Winckel, had taken a last look at the
prisoners at about ten o'clock. He was certain of that; he had heard
their voices, although he could not make out what they spoke about.

There were sighs of relief from Schmidt and O'Reilly, who felt that
the situation was covered, but Winckel was more skeptical and less
canny.

"I will admit that they were here until ten o'clock and later. I will
even admit that they were not listening at the conference. But how was
their escape managed and why after ten? Did they have outside help and
how did the outside help know of their imprisonment here?

"Both of you gentlemen may be tired and may wish to retire. Please do
so, if you want to. I am going down to our meeting place to see what I
can see. A little late, I will admit, and it may not do us much good,
but there is always a chance. It is important for us to find out if we
have blundered, if our plans have been disclosed."

Both Schmidt and O'Reilly insisted on accompanying Winckel and the
three left the house in the next five minutes.

They reached the building in about twenty minutes. No policeman was
about to see them violate the speed laws on the way. An immediate and
careful search of the room was made, to see if anyone had been th