hat, master? Is there a change in the plan?" asked
Balthazar.

"I think there might be. Something occurred today that might give us a
favorable lead. Miss Pauline received as a gift a terrier dog. I
believe it could be made use of."

"In what way?" asked the counterfeiter.

"By stealing it and bringing it here."

"I don't understand--ah, yes; indeed I do."

"Excellent, master," exclaimed Balthazar. "It could be done today.
Can I have two of your men, Rupert?"

"Yes; take Gaston and Firenzi. They are always to be trusted."

At his words two men, stepped forward. One of them had been working at
the metal pots. But in response to a hurried word from Rupert he
quickly threw off his cap and apron, and caught up a hat and coat.

Rupert Wallace stepped to the side of the room where a pair of upright
levers stood out of the floor like the levers of an automobile.

He pulled the one nearest him and the sliding doors parted softly.
Owen and Balthazar, with their new escort, stepped through. For a
moment, Wallace waited. Then he drew back the other lever, and the
departing guests found as they reached the end of the secret passage,
that their path opened, almost magically before them, in the hushed
unfolding of the second door.

"Goodbye, Cyrus," said, Harry as Pauline strolling down the garden with
him, tossed to her new pet a dainty from the box of bon-bons she
carried.

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded.

"That the oysters on the half shell would be better for his health."

"I didn't give him oysters on the half shell."

"No; but you gave him everything else in the house. He is stuffed like
the fatted calf--or like the prodigal son--I don't care which--"

"If he likes candy he shall have candy," declared Pauline, sitting down
on an arbor bench and extending another sugar-plum to the dog.

The gratitude of Cyrus was expressed in a leap to the side of his
mistress. As Harry sat down, he discovered that Cyrus had occupied the
favored place beside Pauline. Next instant there was a yowl of dismay
and the adored gift of Lucille fell several feet away from the bench.

"Harry! I think that is dreadful!" exclaimed Pauline, springing to her
feet.

"I do, too," he answered. "That was why I threw it off the bench."

"To treat a poor innocent dumb creature like that!"

"Polly! You don't mean it, do you? You think I hurt him?"

"You've-hurt-his-feelings."

"That doesn't matter, but if I've