ing-room by an arched opening.

Taking care not to show themselves in this opening, the librarian
described to Evan the exact location of seat 433 outside, and pointed
out a spot where Evan could command a view of seat 433 through the
archway. Evan proceeded to the spot, and, taking down a book at
random, affected to be lost in studying its pages. Then, half turning
and letting his eyes rise carelessly, he glanced into the great room.

It took him an instant or two to focus his eyes. The line of tables
seemed endless, the hundreds of figures reading, scribbling or snoozing
seemed indistinguishable from one another. Then Evan remembered the
librarian had said: "433 is the fourth seat from the passageway between
the tables; the person sitting there will have his back to you."
Evan's eyes found the spot: he saw a familiar pair of thin, high
shoulders under a grey coat.

His first feeling was one of surprise. Somehow he had not expected one
so young and insignificant to be given so important a part in the game.
For a moment he wondered if the strange-eyed, wary little youth could
be their sole antagonist. That would indeed be a humorous situation.
But he did not believe it possible. Certainly the letter had been
written by one older and more experienced.

Evan remained where he was, making believe to be absorbed in his book,
and letting his eyes rise from time to time as if in contemplation. He
was about sixty feet from the youth in an oblique line. Once the
little fellow looked around, but Evan saw the beginning of the movement
and was deep in study in plenty of time. The sober background of
filled bookshelves afforded Evan good protective colouring. Across the
smaller room the librarian was likewise affecting to be reading, while
he nervously watched Evan and awaited the outcome.

Finally Evan perceived the library attendant coming down the long room
bearing the two big volumes in their faded purple calf binding. He
speculated whimsically on what a sensation would be caused should he
drop one and a thousand-dollar bill flutter out. But library
attendants know better than to drop books.

He laid the books on the table beside the youth, and went back. The
grey-clad one, with another casual, sharp glance around him, took up
volume one, the thicker of the two, and, slouching down in his chair,
stood the tall, open book on his lap in such a way that no one either
in front or behind him could see exactly wha