clothes, leaning against the desk while he tested
the inspector's temper with a smiling face and an insinuating
conversation.

Garth had never before seen this amateur in social justice. His first
glance furnished him a share in the inspector's resentment, for clearly
Manford's illusions as to his importance were all of a happy character.
His moustache, arranged with a studied precision, his ruddy complexion,
his eyes, noticeably sarcastic, testified to measureless pride in a
success which, Garth knew, had arisen almost of its own power from his
inheritance. It was not to be doubted that his selection as its head had
given the society in his eyes a majestic and peculiar value.

The fact that the inspector failed to counter impressed Garth. Probably
it would be a sufficient revenge for him to accomplish the raid and
smash the gang with Manford as a witness, yet without his active
assistance.

A number of detectives and some men in uniform were grouped about the
two. The inspector's commands were brief and delivered with an excited
anticipation which he could not conceal. At last he announced the number
of the house. It was in the centre of the block east of that in which
Garth had captured the Chinaman. Some of the men were to reach the back
yard. Others were to guard the roof. The remainder would form the
attacking party at the front.

"When these people find they can't get through," the inspector warned,
"it's a good bet they'll show fight. So look out for yourselves, and
impress on them that your guns aren't watch charms."

Garth, Manford, and the inspector led the way. Garth's misgivings were
far more profound than if the chief risk had been his own. Where was
Nora now? What would such conscienceless men do to her if they found at
the last moment she was responsible for their hopeless predicament?

They walked slowly to give the others time to reach their posts. At last
the inspector glanced at his watch, snapped it shut, and quickened his
pace.

"Come on, boys," he muttered. "The season's open."

The house presented an uncommunicative front. They climbed the steps. No
lights showed in the hall. The windows appeared to be shuttered. The
inspector pulled the old-fashioned bell handle. After an undisturbed
wait he tried again.

"Guess we haven't got the combination, Chief," Garth whispered.

"No time for experiments," the inspector said. He put his shoulder to
the door.

"Give a hand here, boys. Bring tha