enly came face to face with the young man she had
thought was following her. "Miss Ellicott," he said, raising his hat,
and as his hand was poised before her eyes, she saw on his finger a ring
similar to the one which had been given her in Paris by Monsieur
Lefevre, on the day of her departure. She colored, started to pass on,
then stopped. "Good-morning," she gasped, faintly.

"I'm so glad to see you," he rattled on. "Don't you remember our being
introduced, at dinner one night, in Paris. I'm delighted to meet you
again. On your way down-town, I suppose?" His remark seemed a question.
She answered it at once. "Yes, a little shopping to do, and then I
thought of stopping at the house of some friends--the United States
Minister," she added, by way of explanation.

The stranger bowed. "May I have the pleasure of accompanying you?" he
asked. "I also am going in that direction."

Grace assented, and they went out together. At the door the man summoned
a cab. "It is safer," he whispered. "We may be observed."

Once inside the cab, which was a closed one, the young man began to ply
Grace with questions. "I am one of Monsieur Lefevre's men," he told her,
noting her momentary hesitation. "Be quite frank, please, and tell me
everything."

When she had finished her story, he sat in silence for a long time. Then
he turned to her with a question which made her think he had suddenly
lost his mind. "Has Dr. Hartmann a phonograph in the house?" he
inquired.

"A phonograph?" she looked at him curiously.

"Yes--yes." His voice betrayed his excitement. "We must send a message
to Mr. Duvall. Your windows overlook the room where he is confined. He
may hear it. It is the only way."

"Yes," she said, after a moment's thought. "There is a phonograph in the
library--a small one. It is seldom used. But Dr. Hartmann--"

"Listen to me," he interrupted, "and do exactly as I say. Pretend to be
ill. Ask Dr. Hartmann's permission to have the instrument moved to your
room. Then play the records which I am about to get for you."

She gazed at him, scarcely understanding. "But--" she began.

"Of course you will play other records, as well, but this one you must
play often--as often as possible. I do not know that Mr. Duvall will
understand what the message is--it is a chance, but we must take it. I
myself do not understand it very clearly, but the suggestion comes from
Monsieur Lefevre himself. You know him. He has your husband's safety at