ar what is said."

"I did it before, but they kept in a corner of a building and I
couldn't get near without attracting their attention. I tried it once
but both of them gave me such a suspicious look I had to move on."

"That's all?"

"He sent three letters and a telegram. The telegram was to the firm he
works for, something about an order for quinine pills--I heard it
clicked off at the telegraph office."

"Well, you can stay here and I'll go into the house. If he comes out
you follow him," said Adam Adams.

The detective found the mansion in charge of the policeman and Mrs.
Morse. Both looked at him questioningly as he entered.

"Nothing is to be touched," said the policeman. "Them's orders from
headquarters."

"Is anybody here?"

"Mrs. Morse and myself, that's all."

"No visitors at all?"

"No, sir."

"That's queer. Haven't seen anything of Mrs. Langmore's son to-day?"

The policeman shook his head. "You haven't seen him, have you?" he
asked of the woman.

"No, and I don't want to see him," she answered tartly. "I don't want
anybody to bother me," and she looked directly at the detective.

"I shan't bother you," was the quick reply. "But as I am working on
behalf of Miss Langmore, and as this was her father's house and the one
in which she lived, I think I shall take a look around," he went on, in
a slightly stiffer voice.

"But orders--" began the policeman.

"You may go around with me, so that you can be sure I do not touch
anything."

"Well, I dunno--" began the bluecoat.

His speech was cut short by the banging of a rear door, as the wind
caught it. Mrs. Morse gave a cry.

"What was that? I didn't leave any door open!"

She ran to the rear of the mansion and the policeman followed. Adam
Adams stepped to the front door and then out on the lawn. He was in
time to see a man leap a side fence and start down the road. A moment
later Charles Vapp was following the disappearing individual. The
detective stepped into the house again.

"Well, that's mighty queer," muttered the policeman, as he came back.

"It is queer," answered Adam Adams, eying him sternly. "You had better
explain it if you want to keep out of trouble."

"Explain what?" came from Mrs. Morse.

"You just told me that nobody was in the house."

"Well?"

"A man just left by the back door and ran away. Either you knew he was
here or else you are not taking proper care of these premises."

"Why, sir--" be