heart." He leaned out, giving a few rapid instructions to the cabman,
and then once more turned to Grace.

"Do not visit the house of the United States Minister. It will be most
unwise. As soon as he learns that Mr. Duvall and yourself are at Dr.
Hartmann's house as spies, he will of necessity refuse to assist you
further. Should he not do so, should he demand Mr. Duvall's release,
nothing would be gained, since the snuff box would of necessity be left
behind. Dr. Hartmann will not injure your husband--he is too anxious to
get possession of the snuff box for that. We will try the phonograph,
to-day, and if that means is unsuccessful, we must make an attempt to
regain the box, and release your husband by force."

As he finished speaking, the cab drew up at a music store. The stranger
sprang out, and in a few moments reappeared with a small package in his
hand. He handed it to her, then removed his hat and bowed. "I would
suggest, mademoiselle, that you return at once, and make use of this as
I have directed. If anything further occurs, send word by the delivery
boy to-night." He bowed, and walked rapidly down the street.

Grace sadly ordered the cabman to return to Dr. Hartmann's, and then sat
back, her mind torn by conflicting emotions. The whole thing seemed
inexplicably mysterious and confusing. Here was Richard, her husband,
suffering she knew not what agonies at Dr. Hartmann's hands, and these
people, who ought to be attempting to liberate him, asked her to play
upon the phonograph. She tore open the package which the young man had
handed her, and glanced at it eagerly. Its title told her no more than
the stranger himself had done. She read it over and over, aimlessly. It
was _The Rosary_.

CHAPTER XVIII

The dull, heavy sleep into which Richard Duvall had fallen, after Dr.
Hartmann had left him, was suddenly disturbed by the realization that
someone had seized him roughly by the arms. He attempted to rise,
struggling instinctively against the two men who, he dimly saw, were
bending over him, but his resistance was useless. In a moment the
leather straps which encircled his wrists and ankles had been drawn
tight, and he felt himself being lifted bodily and deposited on the
floor in the center of the room. At first he cried out, cursing his
captors loudly, but an instant's reflection showed him how profitless
his remonstrances were, and he allowed himself to be bound to the floor
in silence. In a moment,