I found the latter in his own home and more than enthusiastic upon the
subject.

"Well," said he after I had informed him of the discoveries I had made,
"the fates seem to prosper you in this. I have not received an inkling
of light upon the matter since I parted from you at Mr. Blake's house.
By the way I saw that gentleman this morning and I tell you we will find
him a grateful man if this affair can be resolved satisfactorily."

"That is good," said I," gratitude is what we want." Then shortly,
"Perhaps it is no more than our duty to let him know that his wife is
safe and under my eye; though I would by no means advocate his knowing
just how near him she is, till the moment comes when he is wanted, or we
shall have a lover's impetuosity to deal with as well as all the rest."
Then with a hurried remembrance of a possible contingency, went on to
say, "But, by the way, in case we should need the cooperation of Mrs.
Blake in what we have before us, you had better get a line written
in French from Mrs. Daniels, expressive of her belief in Mr. Blake's
present affection for his wife. The latter will not otherwise trust us,
or understand that we are to be obeyed in whatever we may demand. Let
it be unsigned and without names in case of accident; and if the
housekeeper don't understand French, tell her to get some one to help
her that does, only be sure that the handwriting employed is her own."

Mr. Gryce seemed to perceive the wisdom of this precaution and promised
to procure me such a note by a certain hour, after which I related to
him the various other details of the capture such as I had planned it,
meeting to my secret gratification an unqualified approval that went far
towards alleviating that wound to my pride which I had received from him
in the beginning of this affair.

"Let all things proceed as you have determined, and we shall accomplish
something that it will be a life-long satisfaction to remember," said
he; "but you must be prepared for some twist of the screw which you
do not anticipate. I never knew anything to go off just as one
prognosticates it must, except once," he added thoughtfully, "and
then it was with a surprise attached to it that well nigh upset me
notwithstanding all my preparations."

"You won a great success that day," remarked I. "I hope the fates will
be as propitious to me to-morrow. Failure now would break my heart."

"But you won't fail," exclaimed he. "I myself am resolved to s