would understand. Cutty
grinned in the dark.

Any obsession is a blindfold. A straight course lay open to Cutty,
but he chose the labyrinthian because he was obsessed. He wanted
those emeralds. Nothing less than the possession of them would, to his
thinking, round out a varied and active career. Later, perhaps, he would
declare the stones to the customs and pay the duty; perhaps. Thus his
subsequent mishaps this night may be laid to the fact that he thought
and saw through green spectacles.

The idea that the jewels were hidden near by made it imperative that he
should handle this affair exclusively. Coles, the operative he had sent
to negotiate with Karlov, was conceivably a prisoner upstairs or down.
Coles knew about the drums, and they must not turn up under his eye.
Federal property, in that event.

If ever he laid his hands upon the drums he would buy something gorgeous
for Kitty. Little thoroughbred!

Time for work. Without doubt Karlov had cellar exits through this
warehouse or the other. The job on hand would be first to locate these
exits, and then to the trap on the roof. With his pocket lamp blazing a
trail he went down to the cellar and carefully inspected the walls that
abutted those of the house. Nothing on this side.

He left the warehouse and hugged the street wall for a space. The street
was deserted. Instead of passing Karlov's abode he wisely made a detour
of the block. He reached the entrance to the second warehouse without
sighting even a marauding tom. In the cellar of this warehouse he
discovered a newly made door, painted skillfully to represent the
limestone of the foundation. Tiptop.

Immediately he outlined the campaign. There should be two drives--one
from the front and another from the roof--so that not an anarchist or
Bolshevik could escape. The mouth of the Federal sack should be held
at this cellar exit. No matter what kind of game he played offside,
the raid itself must succeed absolutely. Nothing should swerve him from
making these plans as perfect as it was humanly possible. He would be
on hand to search Karlov himself. If the drums were not on him he would
return and pick the old mansion apart, lath by lath. Gay old ruffian,
wasn't he?

Another point worth considering: He would keep his discoveries under
cover until the hour to strike came. Some over-zealous subordinate might
attempt a coup on his own and spoil everything.

He picked his way to the far end of the cellar, to