d with anxiety. There
was a hesitation in his manner of speech that was wholly unlike its
usual quick decisiveness.

"I don't like this sort of thing," he said, doubtfully. "I let you go
ahead because I can't suggest any alternative, but I don't like it,
not at all. It seems to me that other methods might be employed with
excellent results without the element of treachery which seems to
involve me as well as you in our efforts to overcome this woman."

Burke, however, had no qualms as to such plotting.

"You must have crooked ways to catch crooks, believe me," he said
cheerfully. "It's the easiest and quickest way out of the trouble for
us, and the easiest and quickest way into trouble for them."

The return of the detectives caused him to break off, and he gave his
attention to the final arrangements of his men.

"You're in charge here," he said to Cassidy, "and I hold you
responsible. Now, listen to this, and get it." His coarse voice came
with a grating note of command. "I'm coming back to get this bunch
myself, and I'll call you when you're wanted. You'll wait in the
store-room out there and don't make a move till you hear from me, unless
by any chance things go wrong and you get a call from Griggs. You know
who he is. He's got a whistle, and he'll use it if necessary.... Got
that straight?" And, when Cassidy had declared an entire understanding
of the directions given, he concluded concisely. "On your way, then!"

As the men left the room, he turned again to Gilder.

"Just one thing more," he said. "I'll have to have your help a little
longer. After I've gone, I want you to stay up for a half-hour anyhow,
with the lights burning. Do you see? I want to be sure to give the
Turner woman time to get here while that gang is at work. Your keeping
on the lights will hold them back, for they won't come in till the house
is dark, so, in half an hour you can get off the job, switch off the
lights and go to bed and stay there--just as I told you before." Then
Inspector Burke, having in mind the great distress of the man over the
unfortunate entanglement of his son, was at pains to offer a reassuring
word.

"Don't worry about the boy," he said, with grave kindliness. "We'll get
him out of this scrape all right." And with the assertion he bustled
out, leaving the unhappy father to miserable forebodings.

CHAPTER XVII. OUTSIDE THE LAW.

Gilder scrupulously followed the directions of the Police Inspector.
Uneasily