one! Bah! That is a lie. I have followed him all through the city.
I've been to his office, and they told me he was here. I've a little
matter to settle with him. It will only take a moment."

"I tell you he's gone."

"Who the devil are you, anyhow? I have no friends."

"I am Madelon's fiance," Van Dam said, boldly.

"Another lie! She has no fiance." The speaker's face darkened. "If she
marries any one, it shall be me."

An unfamiliar pang smote Van Dam suddenly, but he disregarded it.

"Don't be a fool," he insisted. "I know why you came here, but you're
too late. Your mother and Madelon were here, too, a moment ago--"

"Here?" exclaimed the youth, incredulously.

"Yes! Alfred heard you were in the city and he planned to ambush you; I
tied him up and threw him into a closet. Then I robbed his safe and gave
the money to Madelon and your mother."

Emile's face was a study at this amazing intelligence.

"When I came to look for the old fellow, a moment ago, I found he'd
escaped. I don't know where he has gone. That's why we'd better cut and
run for it, before he sets up an alarm."

"Run!" Emile shook his head. "I have been running--with the Black Wolf
at my heels. I thought they had me cornered more than once. They're
after me now, the whole pack."

"Do they know you're here?"

"I dare say; they were right behind me." He cursed violently. "And to
think that I missed Cousin Alfred, after all!"

"You had no business in the city. You must get out again."

"It's too late now. Why, it's nearly six o'clock. I could never get away
before it's time for masks off."

"Nevertheless, you must try," Van Dam said, decisively. "If you stay
here, you're lost. We'll climb the fence at the rear of the next yard
and slip out through the stable way."

Emile pondered for a moment. "I hadn't thought of that. It's a chance,
but you can't go with me. I sha'n't allow it."

"Nonsense!"

"You don't know the Wolf! If I were seen it would mean the death of both
of us."

"Very well, then, I'll leave by the front way. Now go!"

Van Dam half shoved the young man toward the door.

"Thanks," murmured the fugitive. "You seem to be the right sort. If I
live, I sha'n't forget." The next instant he was gone.

Roly watched him race across the yard, squeeze through the hedge; then,
an instant later, saw his form as he mounted the fence to the wagon
inclosure where the Spider had gone to his destruction earlier in the
afternoon. It w