legraph instrument which, for his own
convenience, he had installed in Barbara's house, he called Captain
Hallam out of bed and clicked off the message:

The milk in the cocoanut is accounted for. I must see you and
Stafford to-night, without fail. Summon him. I'll go up to your
house at once.

It did not require much time or many words for Duncan to explain the
situation as he now understood it. Nor was there the slightest ground
for doubt that the solution reached was altogether the correct one.

"It's a deep game he's been playing," said Hallam.

"It is one of the finest combinations I ever heard of," responded
Stafford. "You've a mighty long head, Duncan, to work out such a
puzzle."

"Don't be too complimentary to my head. I didn't work it out," responded
the younger man.

"You didn't? Who did, then?"

"Barbara Verne! She forbade me to mention her name, but I will not sail
under false colors."

"Well, now, I want to say," said Stafford, "that you've a mighty long
head, anyhow, to make a counselor of such a girl as Barbara Verne. It's
the very wisest thing you ever did in your life, and the wisest you
ever will do till you make her your wife. Of course, that will come in
due time?"

"I hope so, but I am not sure I can accomplish that."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Why, I had supposed it was all arranged. Why haven't you----"

"Perhaps I have. At any rate, the doubt I spoke of is not due to any
neglect of opportunity on my part. But we must get to business. It is
two o'clock in the morning. We've found out old Napper's game. Now, what
are we going to do about it?"

During this little side conversation, Hallam had been pacing the floor,
thinking. He now began issuing his orders, like shots from a rapid-fire
gun.

"Go to the instrument there, Duncan, and telegraph Temple to come to
Cairo by the first train. Tell him to give instructions to his assistant
as to the running of the mine during a long absence on his part."

When Duncan had finished the work of telegraphing, Hallam turned to him,
saying:

"You, Duncan, are to start for New York on the seven o'clock train this
morning. Leave your proxy with Stafford to vote your stock in the
present company, and----"

"What's your plan, Hallam?" interrupted Stafford.

"To give old Napper Tandy the very hardest lesson he's ever had to learn
at my hands. You and I will call a meeting of the company immediately,
and make Duncan president."