Chateau. I assume that Carpenter will tell
you of this errand."

Harleston nodded.

"What shall be done as to Snodgrass--also as to Mrs. Spencer and one
o'clock tomorrow?" Ranleigh asked. "Do you wish me to prevent the
meeting?"

"No," said Harleston, after a little consideration; "simply keep them in
view and follow them. I can't imagine Snodgrass being concerned in this
affair. It's the lady he's after, not her mission. It's likely he
doesn't even know she's in the Secret Service. However, keep an eye on
them; I may be mistaken."

The telephone buzzed. Ranleigh answered, then passed the instrument
across to Harleston.

"Is that you, Harleston?... This is Carpenter. I've just had a most
amazing proposition made to me. It will keep until morning, but drop
around at the Department about nine-thirty and I'll unburden myself."

"Is it Marston?" Harleston asked.

"Exactly; however did you guess it?"

"However did you guess I was with Ranleigh?" Harleston laughed.

"I didn't guess; I called Mrs. Clephane, told her I wanted you--and
presto! There's small trick about that, old fox--except in knowing your
quarry. So long--and don't!"

"If you don't mind, Carpenter, I'll stop on my way home. I'm just
beginning to be interested."

"Come along!" was the answer.

"Carpenter--to explain a Marston proposition," Harleston remarked,
pushing back the instrument.

"They are muddying the water all around," Ranleigh commented. "So I
imagine they are about to make a get-away with the goods."

"Try to, Ranleigh, try to," Harleston amended. "They won't make a
get-away so long as we have Madame Spencer in our midst. Keep your eye
on the dark-haired loveliness; with her in the landscape the goods are
still here. Now for Carpenter."

"Permit me to suggest a taxi!" Ranleigh observed. "It's just as well
that you shouldn't wander about alone on the well-lighted streets of the
National Capital--"

"You think I might be suspended by the Interstate Commerce Commission,
or enjoined by the Federal Trades Commission, or be violating the
Clayton Anti-Trust Act?"

"You might be any and all of them, God knows--as well as contrary to
some paternal act of a non-thinking, theoretical, and subservient
Congress. However, I'm pinning my faith to you and hoping for the best;
Jimmy-the-Snake is cruising whether and whence and wherefore."

"Also besides and among!" Harleston laughed.

"Seriously, I mean it about The Snake," Ranleigh repeate