evening, at which Mr. Kauffman was present to explain
technical details, and we soon persuaded Mr. Dyer to undertake the
commission. We felt that we could trust him implicity."

"When did he intend to go to Washington?" was Josie's next question.

"On the 5:30, to-morrow morning. After exhibiting the projectile to Mr.
Colton and securing the firm's option to manufacture it on a royalty
basis, we are to take it to my house, where Mr. Dyer will receive it
and obtain our final instructions."

"One question more, if you please," said Josie. "What connection with
your enterprise has Tom Linnet?"

"Linnet? I do not know such a person," declared Mrs. Charleworth.

"Who is he?" asked the manager.

"I know him," said Kauffman. "He's the night clerk at the Mansion House
where I stop. Sometimes I see him when I come in late. He's not of
special account; he's weak, ignorant, and--"

A sharp report interrupted him and alarmed them all.

Josie swung around quickly, for the sound--she knew it was a revolver
shot--came from the rear. As Colton and Kauffman sprang to their feet
and Mrs. Charleworth shrank back in a fright, the girl ran to the back
door, opened it and started to make her way through the huge, dark
building beyond the partition. The manager followed in her wake and as
he passed through the door he turned a switch which flooded the big
store-room with light.

In the center of the building were long, broad tables, used for
packing. A few shells still remained grouped here and there upon the
boards. On either side the walls were lined with tiers of boxes bound
with steel bands and ready for shipment. No person was visible in this
room, but at the farther end an outer door stood ajar and just outside
it a motionless form was outlined.

Josie and Mr. Colton, approaching this outer door nearly at the same
time, controlled their haste and came to an abrupt halt. The upright
figure was that of Sergeant Joe Langley and the light from the room
just reached a human form huddled upon the ground a few feet distant.
Joe had dropped his flashlight and in his one hand held a revolver.
Josie drew a long, shuddering breath. The manager took a step forward,
hesitated, and returned to his former position, his face deathly white.

"What is it? What's the matter?" called Kauffman, coming upon the scene
panting for he was too short and fat to run easily.

Joe turned and looked at them as if waking from a trance. His stolid
face to