oftly. "Unlock
the door, please, take the key off your bunch and come inside."

The man hesitated, but all the time his fingers were fumbling with the
keys. Quest's lips continued to move. The warder opened the door and
entered. A few minutes later, Quest passed the key through the window to
Laura, who was standing on guard.

"Come in," he whispered. "Don't step over him. He is sitting with his back
to the wall, just inside."

Laura obeyed, and entered the cell. For a moment they were breathless with
alarm. A passing warder looked down their avenue. Eventually, however, he
turned in the other direction.

"Off with your coat and skirt like lightning, Laura," Quest ordered. "This
has got to be done quickly or not at all."

Without a word, and with marvellous rapidity, the change was effected.
Laura produced from her hand-bag a wig, which she pinned inside her hat
and passed over to Quest. Then she flung herself on to the bed and drew
the blanket up to her chin.

"How long will he stay like that?" she whispered, pointing to the warder,
who was sitting on the floor with his arms folded and his eyes closed.

"Half an hour or so," Quest answered. "Don't bother about him. I shall
drop the key back through the window."

A moment or two later, Quest walked deliberately down the corridor of the
prison, crossed the pavement and stepped into a taxicab. He reached
Georgia Square at five minutes to three. A glance up and down assured him
that the house was unwatched. He let himself in with his own key and
laughed softly as he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. The
house was strangely quiet and deserted, but he wasted no time in looking
around. He ran quickly upstairs, paused in his sitting-room only to take a
cigar from the cabinet, passed on to the bedroom, threw Laura's clothes
off, and, after a few moments' hesitation, selected from the wardrobe a
rough tweed suit with a thick lining and lapels. Just as he was tying his
tie, the little wireless which he had laid on the table at his side began
to record the message. He glanced at the clock. It was exactly three.

"I have Craig here in the Professor's garage, locked up. If our
plan has succeeded, come at once. I am waiting here for you."

Quest's eyes shone for a moment with satisfaction. Then he sent off his
answering message, put on a duster and slouch hat, and left the house by
the side entrance. In a few moments he was in Broadway, and a quarter of