her woman's mind in this was more than he could
tell. But--why not take her to that house as well as to any in New
York?

"All right," he said. "It's a very nice place. I'll tell you the
story as we go."

CHAPTER XXIII

THE ENEMY'S TRACKS

On the way returning to Gotham, Garrison learned every fact concerning
John Hardy, his former places of residence, his former friends, his
ways of life and habits that he deemed important to the issues and
requirements now in hand, with Dorothy's stepbrother more than half
suspected of the crime.

Dorothy gladly supplied the information. She had been on the verge of
despair, harboring her fear and despair all alone, with the loyal
desire to protect not only Foster, but Alice as well, and now she felt
an immense relief to have a man's clear-headed aid.

Garrison held out no specific hope.

The case looked black for young Durgin at the best, and the fellow had
run away. A trip to the small Connecticut town of Rockdale, where
Hardy had once resided, and to which it had long been his wont to
return as often as once a month, seemed to Garrison imperative at this
juncture.

He meant to see Tuttle at six, and start for the country in the evening.

He outlined his plan to Dorothy, acquainting her with the fact that he
had captured Theodore's spy, from whom he hoped for news.

By the time they came to the house near Washington Square, Dorothy was
all but asleep from exhaustion. The strain, both physical and mental,
to which she had been subjected during some time past, and more
particularly during the past two days, told quickly now when at last
she felt ready to place all dependence on Garrison and give up to
much-needed rest.

The meeting of Miss Ellis and Dorothy was but slightly embarrassing to
Garrison, when it presently took place. Explaining to the woman of the
house that his "wife" desired to stop all night in town, rather than go
on to Long Island, while he himself must be absent from the city, he
readily procured accommodations without exciting the least suspicion.

Garrison merely waited long enough to make Dorothy promise she would
take a rest without delay, and then he went himself to a hotel
restaurant, near by in Fifth Avenue, devoured a most substantial meal,
and was five minutes late at his office.

Tuttle had not yet appeared. The hall before the door was deserted.
The sign on his glass had been finished.

Garrison went in. There were letters