n for fifteen miles, winding up at a log cabin which
the Doctor announced was his. The truck deposited their belongings and
jounced away and Dr. Bird led the way to the cabin, which proved to be
unlocked. He pushed open the door and entered, followed by Carnes. The
operative glanced at the occupants of the cabin and started back in
surprise.

Seated at a table were two figures. The smaller of the two had his
back to the entrance but the larger one was facing them. He rose as
they entered and Carnes rubbed his eyes and reeled weakly against the
wall. Before him stood a replica of Dr. Bird. There was the same six
feet two of bone and muscle, the same beetling brows and the same
craggy chin and high forehead surmounted by a shock of unruly black
hair. In face and figure the stranger was a replica of the famous
scientist until he glanced at their hands. Dr. Bird's hands were long
and slim with tapering fingers, the hands of a thinker and an artist
despite the acid stains which disfigured them but could not hide
their beauty. The hands of his double were stained as were Dr. Bird's,
but they were short and thick and bespoke more the man of action than
the man of thought.

The second figure arose and faced them and again Carnes received a
shock. While the likeness was not so, striking, there was no doubt
that the second man would have readily passed for Carnes himself in a
dim light or at a little distance. Dr. Bird burst into laughter at the
detective's puzzled face.

"Carnes," he said, "shake yourself together and then shake hands with
Major Trowbridge of the Coast Artillery Corps. It has been said by
some people that we favor one another."

"I'm glad to meet you, Major," said Carnes. "The resemblance is
positively uncanny. But for your hands, I would have trouble telling
you two apart."

* * * * *

The Major glanced down at his stubby fingers.

"It is unfortunate but it can't be helped," he said. "Dr. Bird, this
is Corporal Askins of my command. He is not as good a second to Mr.
Carnes as I am to you but you said it was less important."

"The likeness is plenty good enough," replied the Doctor. "He will
probably not be subjected to as close a scrutiny as you will. Did you
have any trouble in getting here unobserved?"

"None at all, Doctor. Lieutenant Maynard found a good landing field
within a half mile of here, as you said he would, and he has his
Douglass camouflaged and is stand