came upon the scene. He did not know that
all he had been through was as nothing to what lay before him.

It was an hour before he returned. When he did, it was to find Hazen and
the lawyer awaiting him in ill-concealed impatience. These two were much
too incongruous in tastes and interests to be very happy in a forced and
prolonged tete-a-tete.

"Have you done it?" exclaimed Hazen, leaping eagerly to his feet as the
door closed softly behind Ransom. "Is she out of her room? I have
listened and listened for her step, but could not be sure of it. There
seem to be a lot of people in the house to-night."

"Too many," quoth Ransom. "That is why I couldn't get hold of Mrs. Deo
any sooner. Anitra is having her hair brushed or something else of equal
importance done for her in one of the rear rooms. So we can proceed
fearlessly. Have you looked to see if you can get a good glimpse of her
door through the keyhole of this one?"

"Haven't you already made a trial of that? Then do so now," suggested
Hazen, drawing out the key and laying it on the table.

But this was too uncongenial a task for Ransom.

"I shall be satisfied," said he, "if Mr. Harper tells me that it can."

"It can," asserted that gentleman, falling on his knees and adjusting his
eye to the keyhole. "Or rather, you can see plainly the face of any one
approaching it. I don't suppose any of us expected to see the door
itself."

"No, it is not the door, but the woman entering the door, we want to see.
Did you ask for an extra lamp?"

"Yes, and saw it placed. It is on a small table almost opposite her
room."

"Then everything is ready."

"All but the mark which I am to put on the panel."

"Very good. Here is the chalk. Let us see what you mean to do with it
before you risk an attempt on the door itself."

Ransom thought a minute, then with one quick twist produced the
following:

[Illustration]

"Correct," muttered Hazen, with what Harper thought to be a slight but
unmistakable shudder. "One would think you had been making use of this
very cabalistic sign all your life."

"Then _one_ would be mistaken. I have simply a true eye and a ready
hand."

"And a very remarkable memory. You have recalled every little line and
quirk."

"That's possible. What I have made once I can make the second time. It's
a peculiarity of mine."

There was no mistaking the continued intensity of Hazen's gaze. Ransom
felt his color rise, but succeeded in preserving his