ce. An hour gained in information
about your enemy's plans may turn the tide in your favor. A Chinese
peasant spy, because he happened to be intoxicated, was able to give the
Japanese warning in time for Kuroki to make full dispositions for
receiving the Russian attack in force at the Sha-ho. There are many
other incidents of like nature in history. So it is my duty to neglect
no possible method, however absurd."

By this time he was at the head of the steps. Standing to one side, he
offered his hand to assist Marta. But she seemed not to see it. Her
aspect was that of downright antagonism.

"However absurd! yes, it is absurd to think that you can make me a party
to any of your plans, for--" She broke off abruptly with starting eyes,
as if she had seen an apparition.

Lanstron turned and through the door of the tool-room saw Feller
entering the sitting-room. He was not the bent, deferential old
gardener, nor was he the Feller changed to youth as he thought of
himself at the head of a battery. His features were hard-set, a fighting
rage burning in his eyes, his sinews taut as if about to spring upon an
adversary. When he recognized the intruders he turned limp, his head
dropped, hiding his face with his hat brim, and he steadied himself by
resting a hand on the table edge.

"Oh, it's you, Lanny--Colonel Lanstron!" he exclaimed thickly. "I saw
that some one had come in here and naturally I was alarmed, as nobody
but myself ever enters. And Miss Galland!" He removed his hat
deferentially and bowed; his stoop returned and the lines of his face
drooped. "I was so stupid; it did not occur to me that you might be
showing the tower to Colonel Lanstron."

"We are sorry to have given you a fright!" said Marta very gently.

"Eh? eh?" queried Feller, again deaf. "Fright? Oh, no, no fright. It
might have been some boys from the town marauding."

He was about to withdraw, in keeping with his circumspect adherence to
his part, which he played with a sincerity that half-convinced even
himself at times that he was really deaf, when the fire flickered back
suddenly to his eyes and he glanced from Lanstron to the stairway in
desperate inquiry.

"Wait, Feller! Three of us share the secret now. These are Miss
Galland's premises. I thought best that she should know everything,"
said Lanstron.

"Everything!" exclaimed Feller. "Everything--" the word caught in his
throat. "You mean my story, too?" He was neither young nor old now. H