ed its way through the narrow doorway, and closed the
door.

"Mademoiselle, you are a friend of Mr. James Layton, who was taken, a
few minutes ago, to Scotland Yard?"

"Yes," she cried, "yes. I am his friend. What is it?"

"Before the end of the day, Mr. Layton will be detained on the charge of
murder."

She screamed.

"He didn't do it! He didn't do it!"

"The evidence is strong," said the stranger. "He threatened her. He was
in the garden when the crime was committed----"

She raised her hand, as if to ward off a blow.

"In the garden?" she shivered. "He was in the garden ... then?"

"He will require much assistance," continued the huge unknown--"and
there is no time to lose. Will you help him?"

"I would die for him," she choked. "What can I do?"

The stranger re-opened the door.

"Come with me, mademoiselle," he said softly--"and I will tell you."

CHAPTER XVI

A TRIPLE ALLIANCE

He led the girl out of the house. At the corner of the street a taxi was
waiting. He opened the door.

"Where are we going?" she demanded suspiciously.

"To the Hotel Savoy, mademoiselle," he answered.

She hung back.

"Why should I go with you?" she asked defiantly. "I have never seen you
before. I don't know who you are."

"Mademoiselle," he replied, "your friend is in great danger. He will not
be able to help himself. If you do not come with me, you will not be
able to help him. And I assure you that he needs your help."

She got in without another word. He placed himself beside her, and the
car started.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"My name," he told her, "is Dupont--Victorien Dupont. I arrived in
London from Paris a few days ago."

"What have you to do with this?" she said doubtfully.

"That," he replied, "I cannot at the moment explain to you. I am
concerned in this case for reasons of my own, which must remain my own
for the present. I was in the garden when Christine Manderson was
killed."

She started, staring at him.

"You were in the garden too?" she cried.

"I was," he affirmed. "And I know that Monsieur Layton did not kill
her."

"He didn't!" she declared. "He couldn't kill anything. He spends his
time giving life--not taking it."

"The police will be satisfied that he did, and they will have a strong
case. Unless we can help him by discovering the truth in time, he will
not be able to clear himself. Are you prepared to work for him?"

"I told you," she repeated passionately, "I