andall moved. He
learns that the rooms were vacated shortly after midnight two days
before, without notice. The rent had been paid until the first of the
next month, and the keys were found in the doors. The proprietor had
watched from his window, but did not see Miss Randall leave the house.
Two men left in the vehicle.

Paul returned to his room more startled and mystified than before. The
occupants of that midnight conveyance disturbed his waking hours and
haunted his dreams. What had become of Agnes Randall? Perhaps the girl
had been abducted, but why did she not enter the conveyance? Possibly
Agnes had been murdered. Could it be that her body was removed in one of
the large trunks? He becomes terribly interested in solving this puzzle,
but hesitates to investigate.

The circumstances immediately preceding this strange affair render his
will nerveless. The menacing voices of his murdered victims warn him to
be cautious. With all his excitement, Paul will shun notoriety by
discreet silence.

Pierre Lanier and Sir Charles are daily expected. It now occurs to Paul
that his position will be most embarrassing. What theory can he advance
to Sir Charles for the absence of Agnes? Will not Sir Charles suspect
him of foul play? Had not Paul called that evening and left late? When
Sir Charles inquires at the house and hears the whole story, Paul's
connivance in this abducting scheme will seem clear.

Between two tragic plots, one real, the other mysterious, Paul is much
bewildered. How escape deserved reckoning in the one and unmerited
accounting in the other?

The young man's ingenuity again comes to his aid. All intangible,
ghostly menace downs before this real danger. Paul quits his room, and
in disguise watches for incoming steamer from Calcutta. He will seek
first chance to explain all to Pierre Lanier. Father and son then will
determine what to do.

Disguised, Paul haunts the wharf. Neither Sir Charles nor Pierre Lanier
arrives. Much perplexed, Paul nervously awaits the distribution of the
mail, and receives a letter from his father. Eagerly tearing it open, he
is startled by its contents.

Pierre had written:

"Take first steamer. Important business here. Come in old suit."

It is sure that something serious is contemplated. Such guarded allusion
to Paul's former disguise tells of some proposed desperate job.

Paul makes hurried preparations for departure.

Soon after on a mail steamer sails a stooped old