t we can easily stop that," Harding exclaimed. "We can easily
prevent any signal being used."

"If you know what the signal is," Brennan said. "But if you don't know,
what are you to do?"

"We shall have to watch."

"That's it, we shall have to watch and take care nobody knows it,"
Brennan replied in a low tone. "Have you a revolver?"

"No. The one we kept in the bank was stolen from the drawer with the
money."

"Then slip this into your pocket," Brennan said, as he passed a bright
nickel-plated "bull-dog" to Harding. "It's loaded in all the chambers
and has a snap trigger; but it's no good for a long shot, though it
makes as much noise as a service carbine. Don't hesitate to use it if
anything happens--the noise will let me know, and there's no danger of
hitting anyone with it unless you are a better shot than I am."

"But where are you going?"

Brennan jerked his head towards the door.

"You see me off the premises and then tell the girl to fetch those
blankets away again. After that, keep your eyes open and rest assured
that as soon as you let off the barker I've given you, I shall not be
far off. If there is any arrangement such as I have suggested, my going
now will put them off their guard and our gentleman will get the signal
to make his call as expected. Bringing in those blankets has given the
game away--to me it shows just what is in the wind."

When he had seen Brennan off the premises, Harding told Bessie to remove
the blankets from the office, and returned to the little room.

The door was ajar when he reached it, but there was no answer to his
rap. He pushed it open and entered. Mrs. Eustace was not there.

He turned, and came face to face with her as he stood in the doorway,
though he had not heard her approach.

"I did not hear you coming," he exclaimed.

"No, I am wearing light shoes," she answered. "But won't you sit down?
Have you made all your arrangements? I don't want to begin to say what I
wish if you will have to go away before I have finished."

"There is nothing to call me away now. Brennan has gone," he said, as he
took the chair she indicated.

"Before I begin, I must ask you to forgive me for mentioning the subject
at all," she said slowly.

She sat facing him and, up to that moment, had kept her eyes fixed on
him; but as she ceased speaking she glanced aside until her head was
bowed as it had been previously. He took advantage of the opportunity to
give one quick look ro