With
love'--"

Her face went suddenly white. The hand holding the card dropped to her
lap. She sat bolt upright, and directed at me a look of surprised
bewilderment.

"Clara!" she gasped. "Why, that's--"

We both started and looked at the front door.

"Listen!" Miss Cooper whispered.

Light, stealthy footsteps sounded upon the porch. Next instant the knob
was being slowly turned by a cautious hand.

CHAPTER XII

THE CIPHER

We sat rigid and breathless, with our eyes glued to the slowly
revolving door-knob. At last a faint click announced that the latch
was released. Then the door opened a few inches, to reveal the slender
figure of Alexander Burke.

[Illustration: The door opened a few inches, to reveal the figure of
Alexander Burke]

Manifestly he was ignorant of our presence. Neither I nor Miss Cooper
stirred, and Burke was for the time being blinded by having come so
abruptly from the snow glare into the comparative dimness of the hall.

I regretted that we were not in a position to follow his movements
unobserved, for of course he must be attracted to us the instant either
of us stirred. I was exceedingly curious to learn what had brought him
back to his employer's house.

And now he did a singular thing. His hand was still on the knob, and
only his head and the upper part of his body projected through the
doorway. His attitude was that of a strained listener; and had I not
been there to testify to the contrary, one might have sworn that he
received a warning not to enter. The silence, however, remained
absolutely unbroken.

All at once a shudder convulsed his frame. He slowly withdrew his
head, as if fearful of disturbing the house's lifeless occupant. Next
he deliberately closed the door, without entering at all.

Miss Cooper turned to me in blank amazement, and for a moment I confess
that I was nonplussed myself by such singular conduct. But in a second
I comprehended: the fellow was afraid.

I laughed quietly, and explained to my companion:

"He expected to find the house thronged with people, and the
undisturbed stillness dismayed him. . . . Careful! He's still on the
porch, hesitating between desire to enter and fear to make the attempt.
Slip quietly into the library; I mean to find out what he 's after, if
I can. He does n't need to know of your being here."

She colored, and nodded in comprehension, and at once tripped across
the hall, carrying with her the ca