t the silence with a chaotic turmoil. A terrific
detonation was followed by the shattering of glass. Shouts and curses
arose from the house. Someone hurried across the drive and up the steps.
Garth was aware of a heavy hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at the
inspector's startled face. Suddenly the detective realized that the old
man had no misgivings for Nora. At this moment, with the white form at
his feet, he must picture her quietly, safely at home. Garth moved away,
but the inspector grasped him again.

"What's the matter with you? You've let them use their infernal bomb.
You're responsible for Alsop and his people."

"They're safe," Garth answered.

The candle still burned. In its wan and flickering light he indicated
the still, white figure.

"The veiled woman!" the inspector said. "Dead!"

He stooped swiftly.

"You've done well here anyway, Garth. Let's have a look."

Frantically Garth snatched at his arm and tried to pull him away.

"Don't look! Not you!"

The inspector glanced up amazed. Garth knelt with a gesture of despair.

"What's that?" the inspector whispered, and his voice was suddenly
afraid. Garth followed his glance. From the black shadows of the woods a
white figure glided. Its face was hidden beneath a white cloth.

Garth's shaking fingers reached out and lifted the stained veil from the
silent form. He drew back. His cry was like a sob. For a long time the
inspector and Garth stared at the features, apprehensive even in death,
of the secretary, Marvin.

* * * * * *

Nora, who ran up the steps crying out her fear for those in the house,
gave Garth no opportunity for questions or for the expression of that
relief which shook him with a power nearly physical. Even the inspector,
after his first shock of surprise, had no time to demand the particulars
of her share in the night's work.

The four prisoners were brought to the hall. They knew they must stand
trial for Brown's death as well as for this attempt. The one who had
shot Marvin and who had gone down before Garth's attack was still dazed.
Garth identified him as the man who had disguised himself as an Oriental
in the shop. The sharp face of the Levantine twitched with hatred and
fright. The other two, although he knew the type, the detective had
never seen before. They boasted openly that the shop had been only an
outpost for this affair. Through a dictaphone and the telegraphy of the
pipe, instr