on that woman's track when she accosted you. I
am on to their whole scheme, for I have been at work."

Oscar stared and then said slowly:

"I am to meet her to-night."

"Certainly, you will meet her, but when you do will you know her game?
She is the beautiful siren who is to lure Ulysses into the den where he
is to be slain with merciless precision and cold-blooded exactness."

Again Oscar stared, but seeing the glitter in Cad's eyes he fell to a
conclusion and asked:

"Is my beautiful partner jealous?"

"Yes, I am jealous for your life. I do not wish to see you beguiled and
imperiled by that woman."

"Cad, you speak like one who knows what she is talking about."

"I do."

"Have you information?"

"I have."

"Forgive me."

"No, there is no need to ask forgiveness, but let me tell you something:
this little game they are playing is one of the shrewdest tricks ever
attempted. I would have been deceived; you are deceived, for a more
reasonable and probable tale has never been told; and yet, Oscar, that
woman is the right bower of the criminals. Her fertile brain conceived
the whole plan to entrap you. It is the play of these men to remove
every one inimical to their success, and they, having marked your
identity, have conceived a scheme to drop you out. They know you are
dangerous. I know you are brave, strong, and valiant, but they have
arranged a plan against which courage and cunning count as naught."

"You are sure, Cad?"

"I am sure."

"What are you on to?"

"I am jealous for your safety, and after those men had your identity I
determined to get on the track of the man Girard. He is a wonderful man
in his way. I followed him; I saw him dispatch a messenger boy. I kept
upon his trail."

"Under what disguise were you?"

Cad laughed.

"Great ginger! Cad, can it be possible?"

Again Cad laughed and said:

"Yes, I was at hand."

"You were the messenger boy?"

"I was."

"Girl, don't call Girard a wonder. You are the wonder of the age; but go
on."

"I carried his message, and the sweet-faced girl who has been giving you
the beautiful tale concerning her enchanted brother is the party to whom
I carried the message. They met, and under a changed disguise I
overheard a part of their scheme. I saw her when she accosted you, and I
knew that from you I would learn enough to connect the whole plan; I
have."

"And what is their plan?"

"That girl's purpose is to win your absolute confidence.