ice, but
the only answer was another burst of speed.

Then Orme reached up and touched the chauffeur's shoulder. "Stop the
car!" he cried.

The chauffeur did not obey. He did not even turn his head.

Orme and the girl looked at each other. "I don't understand," she said.

"I'm afraid I am beginning to," Orme replied. "He will not stop until we
are where he wishes us to be."

"We can't get out," she exclaimed.

"No. And if I pull him out of the seat, the car will be ditched." He
puzzled vainly to hit on a method of action, and meantime the moments
sped.

They passed the university grounds quickly. Orme retained an impression
of occasional massive buildings at the right, including the dome of an
observatory, and at the left the lighted windows of dwellings.

He saw, too, the tower of a lighthouse, a dark foundation supporting a
changing light above; and then the road turned sharply to the left and,
after a few hundred yards, curved again to the north.

Suddenly the chauffeur slowed down. On either side were groves of trees.
Ahead were the lights of an approaching motor.

Orme was still at a loss, and the girl was awaiting some decision from
him. When the chauffeur at last turned and spoke--three short words--Orme
realized too late the situation he and the girl were in.

"We stop now," said the chauffeur.

And the girl, with a horrified gasp, exclaimed: "Maku!"

Yes, it was the Japanese.

Calmly he put on the brakes and brought the car to a standstill by the
roadside; then, removing his goggles, turned to Orme and the girl and
smiled an unscrutable smile. There was an ugly bruise on his forehead,
where Orme had struck him with the wrench.

But quick though Maku was, he was not quick enough to see a motion which
Orme had made immediately after the moment of recognition--a motion which
had even escaped the notice of the girl. Perhaps it accounted for the
coolness with which Orme met his enemy's eyes.

CHAPTER XVI

THE STRUGGLE

The approaching car now drew up near by, and three men jumped lightly to
the road.

In the radiance of the lamps on the two cars, Orme recognized Arima. The
men with him were also Japanese, though Orme was not conscious that he
had ever seen them before.

It was clear enough how he and the girl had blundered into the hands of
the Orientals. Maku had undoubtedly secured a car and had driven it to
the vicinity of the Rookery in response to a telephoned order from
Alcat