harm, believe me. I
wouldn't--"

He jumped from his chair and disappeared, for the voice of Cargan had
hailed him from below. Mr. Magee and the professor with one accord
followed. Hiding in the friendly shadows of the landing once again, they
heard the loud tones of the mayor's booming voice, and the softer tones
of Bland's.

"How about this?" bellowed the mayor. "Hayden's squealed. Phones to
Bland--not to me. Whines about the courts--I don't know what rot. He's
squealed. He didn't phone the combination."

"The rat!" screamed Mr. Max.

"By the Lord Harry," said the mayor, "I'll have it open, anyhow. I've
earned what's in there, fair and--I've earned it. I'm going to have it,
Max."

"See here, Cargan--" put in Mr. Bland.

"Keep out of the way, you," cried Cargan. "And put away that pop-gun
before you get hurt. I'm going to have what's mine by justice. That safe
comes open to-night. Max, get your satchel."

Mr. Magee and the professor turned and ascended to the second floor. In
front of number seven they paused and looked into each other's eyes.
Professor Bolton shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm going to bed," he said, "and I advise you to do the same."

"Yes," replied Mr. Magee, but had no idea what he had said. As for the
old man's advice, he had no intention of taking it. Melodrama--the thing
he had come to Baldpate Inn to forget forever--raged through that home
of solitude. Men spoke of guns, and swore, and threatened. What was it
all about? And what part could he play in it all?

He entered number seven, and paused in amazement. Outside one of his
windows Miss Norton stood, rapping on the glass for him to open. When he
stood facing her at last, the window no longer between, he saw that her
face was very pale and that her chin trembled as it had in the station.

"What is it?" cried Magee.

"I mustn't come in," she answered. "Listen. You said you wanted to help
me. You can do so now. I'll explain everything later--this is all I need
tell you just at present. Down-stairs in the safe there's a package
containing two hundred thousand dollars. Do you hear--two hundred
thousand. I must have that package. Don't ask me why. I came here to get
it--I must have it. The combination was to have been phoned to Cargan at
eight o'clock. I was hiding outside the window. Something went
wrong--they didn't phone it. He's going to open the safe by force. I
heard him say so. I couldn't wait to hear more--I saw him."

"Who?" a