mp-post by the walk, and
looked the thing over in the light.

There was nothing much to see. A nipple of gas-pipe, with a cap on
either end, one drilled through for the insertion of the fuse,
described it completely. The kink in the fuse where the rain had found
entrance to dampen the powder, was plainly to be seen.

Garrison placed the contrivance in his pocket. He pulled out his
watch. The hour, to his amazement, was nearly ten. He realized he
must have lain a considerable time unconscious in the wet. Halting to
wonder what cleverness might suggest as the best possible thing to be
done, he somewhat grimly determined to proceed to Dorothy's house.

CHAPTER XV

SIGNIFICANT DISCOVERIES

Damp and uncomfortable, he kept to the farther side of the street, and
slackened his pace as he drew near the dwelling which he realized was a
place replete with mystery.

He stood on the opposite sidewalk at length, and gazed across at the
frowning brownstone front. The place was utterly dark. Not the
slightest chink of light was visible in all its somber windows.

Aware that nothing is so utterly confusing to a guilty being as to be
confronted unexpectedly by a victim, supposed to be dispatched,
Garrison had come this far without the slightest hesitation. The
aspect of the house, however, was discouraging.

Despite the ache at the base of his skull, and despite the excited
thumping of his heart, he crossed the street, climbed unhaltingly to
the steps, and rang the bell. He had made up his mind to act as if
nothing unusual had occurred. Then, should either Dorothy or the
Robinsons exhibit astonishment at beholding him here, or otherwise
betray a guilty knowledge of the "accident" which had befallen him, his
doubts would be promptly cleared.

A minute passed, and nothing happened.

He rang the bell again.

Once more he waited, in vain.

His third ring was long and insistent.

About to despair of gaining admission, he was gratified to note a dimly
reflected light, as if from the rear, below stairs. Then the hall was
illumined, and presently a chain-lock was drawn, inside the door, the
barrier swung open, and the serving-woman stood there before him,
dressed with the evidences of haste that advertised the fact she had
risen from her bed.

Garrison snatched at his wits in time to act a part for which he had
not been prepared.

"I'm afraid it's pretty late," he said, "but I came to surprise my
wife."