derisive answer, "You haven't the
nerve for it." And then again the subtle leading of an ardent and
self-willed nature into the morass, Scaife pretending to dissuade a
friend, entreating him to consider the risk, urging him to go to bed,
as if he were a headstrong child. And finally Desmond's challenge,
"Bet you I have the nerve," and its acceptance, protestingly, by the
other, and permission given that John should be told.

"And it's to-night?"

"I mean to have that bill-of-fare. Do you think I'd back out now?"

In his mind's eye, our poor John was gazing down a long lane with no
turning at the end of it. Could he make his friend believe that Scaife
had brought this thing to pass from no other motive than wishing to
hurt mortally an enemy by the hand of a friend? No, never would such
an ingenuous youth as Caesar accept, or even listen to, such an
abominable explanation.

"Good night," said John.

"I see you're rather sick with me, Jonathan. Remember, you made me
speak. To-morrow morning we'll have a good laugh over it. We'll walk
to the Haunted House, and I'll tell my tale. I shall be on my way in
less than an hour."

John went back to his room. The necessity for silence and thought had
become imperative. What could he do? It was certain that Warde was
waiting and watching. He had inexhaustible patience. Desmond, not the
Demon, would be caught and expelled. John returned to Desmond's room.

"You've told me so much," he said; "tell me a little more. How are you
going to do it?"

"To do what?"

"Get out of the house? Get a bike--and all that?"

"Easy. Lovell went out that way, and others. You jump from the sill
of the first landing window into the horse-chestnut. One must be able
to jump, of course; but I can jump. Then you shin down the tree, nip
through the shrubbery, and over the locked wicket-gate."

"Yes," John said slowly, "over the gate."

"I borrowed a bike from one of the Cycle Corps, and have ridden
[Transcriber's note: hidden?] it in the garden, in a bush to the right
of the gate."

John nodded.

"It's moonlight after ten; I shall enjoy the ride immensely."

"You will try to get back into the house at night?"

"Too dangerous. Lovell did it; but the Demon marches in boldly just
before Chapel. He may have slipped out on half a dozen errands as soon
as the door is opened in the morning. I shall sleep under a stack.
It's a lovely night. Now, old Jonathan, I hope you're