im. And now I have the honour to wish you good-night."

"Wait--wait a moment!" came in beseeching tones through the telephone.
"My dear young lady, pray pardon any fault you have to find with me, and
remain for a moment or two longer. Who, then, caused the explosion, and
why was it accomplished?"

"That I must leave for you to find out, Herr Director. You see, I am
giving you the results of merely a few hours' inquiry, and you cannot
expect me to discover everything in that time. I don't know how the
explosion was caused, neither do I know who the criminals are or were.
It would probably take me all day to-morrow to find that out; but as I
am leaving the discovery in such competent hands as yours, I must curb
my impatience until you send me full particulars. So, once again,
good-night, Herr Director."

"No, no, don't go yet. I shall come at once to the station, if you will
be kind enough to stop there until I arrive."

"The Princess von Steinheimer is waiting for me in her carriage outside,
and I do not wish to delay her any longer."

"Then let me implore you not to give up your researches."

"Why? Amateur efforts are so futile, you know, when compared with the
labours of the regular force."

"Oh, my dear young lady, you must pardon an old man for what he said in
a thoughtless moment. If you knew how many useless amateurs meddle in
our very difficult business you would excuse me. Are you quite convinced
of what you have told me, that the gold is in the rubbish heap?"

"Perfectly. I will leave for you at the office here the analysis made by
Herr Feltz, and if I can assist you further, it must be on the distinct
understanding that you are not to interfere again with whatever I may
do. Your conduct in going to Herr Feltz to-night after you had left me,
and commanding him not to give me any information, I should hesitate
to characterize by its right name. When I have anything further to
communicate, I will send for you."

"Thank you; I shall hold myself always at your command." This telephonic
interview being happily concluded, Jennie hurried to the Princess,
stopping on her way to give the paper containing the analysis to the
official in charge, and telling him to hand it to the Director when he
returned to his desk. This done, she passed out into the night, with the
comfortable consciousness that the worries of a busy day had not been
without their compensation.

CHAPTER XVI. JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD