two
husky young Germans came out of the house. Hartmann spoke a few quick
words to them in their own language and they ranged themselves on either
side of the cab door. Then the doctor threw it open, and released the
detective's wrist. "Get out, if you please, Mr. Brooks," he said, with a
sardonic smile.

CHAPTER XIV

When Grace arrived at Dr. Hartmann's that night, she was so utterly
astonished by the course which events had taken that she was scarcely
able to think. What to do she could not even guess. Here was her
husband, the man she loved, in the power of Dr. Hartmann, and there
seemed nothing whatever that she could do to help him. Yet how could she
go quietly to her room, when Richard might be in the gravest danger? On
the other hand, to attempt any resistance, to let the doctor know, by
any action on her part, that she and Duvall were working in conjunction,
would result in nothing but further disaster. The thought flashed
through her mind that by preserving her character of a patient, she
might, in the morning, communicate with Mr. Phelps, and secure his
assistance in obtaining Richard's freedom.

These considerations came and went in the few seconds required for the
little party to enter the hall. Her husband went first. Dr. Hartmann
stood aside to permit her to follow him. Duvall turned as she passed
through the door, and she heard him whisper, in a voice scarcely
audible, "Say nothing." It was the cue she desired. She extended her
hand as the doctor came in. "Good-night, Mr. Brooks," she said, quite
calmly. "Thank you for bringing me home. I hope we shall meet again,
sometime."

"I hope so," Duvall remarked, indifferently, then turned to the doctor.
"Now, monsieur, let us have done with this farce as quickly as possible.
I have no time to waste."

"Nor have I. Good-night, Miss Ellicott." He nodded pleasantly to Grace
as she ascended the stairs, then addressed one of the two attendants.
"Where is Herr Mayer?" he asked.

"He is waiting for you in the laboratory, Herr Doctor," the man replied.

"Good! This way, if you please." He motioned down the hall. "Be so good,
Mr. Brooks, as to proceed at once."

Duvall started off down the hall in no pleasant frame of mind. The whole
affair had been bungled by his stupidity. He passed through the door
which Hartmann presently opened at the end of the hall, and found
himself in a long narrow passage, lit by a single electric lamp.
Hartmann closed the d