"who is behind all this--the man you and
I are working for--the man who's going to pay us, even better than he
thinks."

"He--he will be there?" repeated Dunn, drawing a deep, breath.

"Yes, but you won't see him, and it wouldn't help you if you did," Deede
Dawson told him. "Most likely he'll be disguised--a mask, perhaps; I
don't know. Anyhow, he'll be there. Watching. I'm not suggesting you
would do such a thing as never go near the place, loaf around a bit,
then come back and report Rupert Dunsmore out of the way for good,
draw your pay and vanish, and leave us to find out he was as lively
and troublesome as ever. I don't think you would do that, because you
sounded as if you meant what you said when you told me he was your
worst enemy. But it's just as well to be sure, and so we mean to have a
witness; and as it's what you might call a delicate matter, that witness
will most likely be our employer himself. So you had better do the job
thoroughly if you want your pay."

"I see you take your precautions," remarked Dunn. "Well, that's all
right, I don't mind."

"You understand exactly what you've got to do?" Deede Dawson asked.

Dunn nodded.

"What about Allen?" he asked. "Does he take any part in this show?"

"He and I are planning a little visit to Wreste Abbey rather early the
same night, during the dinner-hour most likely," answered Deede Dawson
carelessly. "We can get in at one of the long gallery windows quite
easily, Allen says. He kept his eyes open that day you all went there.
It may be helpful to give the police two problems to work on at once;
and besides, big as this thing is, there's a shortage of ready money at
present. But our little affair at Wreste Abbey will have nothing to
do with you. You mind what you've got to do, and don't trouble about
anything else. See?"

"I see," answered Dunn slowly. "And if you can arrange for Rupert
Dunsmore to be there at that time all right, I'll answer for the rest."

"You needn't be uneasy about that," Deede Dawson said, and laughed.
"You see, I know his plans," he repeated, and laughed again; and still
laughing that chill, mirthless way of his, he turned and walked back
towards the house.

Dunn watched him go through the darkness, and to himself he muttered:

"Yes, but I wonder if you do."

CHAPTER XXIII. COUNTER-PLANS

The hour was late by now, but Dunn felt no inclination for sleep, and
there was no need for him to return indoors as yet, since