am sure. Again be
comforted by the thought that I do not hold the ruined derby against
you. Even though, as I have remarked with unpleasant truth, the
honorarium of a professor at our university is not large."

He turned to Magee.

"I regret more than I can say," he continued, "parting from you. My eyes
fell upon you first on entering this place--we have had exciting times
together. My dear Miss Norton--knowing you has refreshed an old man's
heart. I might compare you to another with yellow locks--but I leave
that to my younger--er--colleagues. Mr. Cargan--good-by. My acquaintance
with you I shall always look back on--"

But the mayor of Reuton, Max and Bland closed in on the old man.

"Now look here, Doc," interrupted Cargan. "You're bluffing. Do you get
me? You're trying to put something over. I don't want to be rough--I
like you--but I got to get a glimpse at the inside of that satchel. And
I got to examine your personal make-up a bit."

"Dear, dear," smiled Professor Bolton, "you don't think I would steal? A
man in my position? Absurd. Look through my poor luggage if you desire.
You will find nothing but the usual appurtenances of travel."

He stood docilely in the middle of the floor, and blinked at the group
around him.

Mr. Magee waited to hear no more. It was quite apparent that this wise
little man carried no package wildly sought by Baldpate's winter guests.
Quietly and quickly Magee disappeared up the broad stair, and tried the
professor's door. It was locked. Inside he could hear a window banging
back and forth in the storm. He ran through number seven and out upon
the snow-covered balcony.

There he bumped full into a shadowy figure hurrying in the opposite
direction.

CHAPTER XVI

A MAN FROM THE DARK

For fully five seconds Mr. Magee and the man with whom he had collided
stood facing each other on the balcony. The identical moon of the summer
romances now hung in the sky, and in its white glare Baldpate Mountain
glittered like a Christmas-card. Suddenly the wind broke a small branch
from one of the near-by trees and tossed it lightly on the snow beside
the two men--as though it were a signal for battle.

"A lucky chance," said Mr. Magee. "You're a man I've been longing to
meet. Especially since the professor left his window open this
afternoon."

"Indeed," replied the other calmly. "May I ask what you want of me?"

"Certainly." Mr. Magee laughed. "A little package. I think it's i