ias, and wait at Calcutta landing until
Pierre met him and gave instructions. An answer was requested, stating
when and how Dodge would make the return trip.

This was the gist of the Lanier letter as deciphered by William Dodge,
though Pierre so thoroughly had hedged against possible miscarriage as
to render intelligent interpretation impossible, except to one in
possession of Dodge's sources of information.

Being able to move about the ward, though still weak, William Dodge is
electrified. Without delay he sends the same nurse to order a cab, soon
after quits the hospital, going to a new lodging-house in a suburb of
Paris. Here he has a relapse, lasting many weeks, but slowly recovers.
He then starts for Calcutta, previously having written to Pierre Lanier,
addressed to the designated alias, giving guarded details of proposed
trip. There have been unavoidable delays, rough seas, numerous squalls,
and much impatient chafing, but passengers reach Calcutta.

At the landing, Pierre Lanier, in old familiar disguise, pulls Dodge's
arm, and upon recognition, giving former signal to follow at discreet
distance, moves quickly. For some distance trailing, Dodge sees Pierre
enter a closed vehicle, beckoning him to follow. After an extended
drive, they stop in a sparsely settled suburb of the city. Pierre
alights, followed by Dodge, with Paul in the rear. No other driver being
in sight, Dodge thinks that Paul has performed this service. To all
attempts at discussion of the situation, during the ride, Pierre insists
on absolute silence.

When inside of the old house, the three seated on a bench at a small
table, before a tallow candle, the one window blinded, and the door
securely fastened, Pierre Lanier explains why such secrecy has been
employed.

"Sir Donald Randolph had arrived in Calcutta and made inquiries for the
Dodge family. Months before it had become necessary for Mary Dodge not
to write, as I could neither remain in Bombay nor trust the forwarding
of letters to any other person. Detectives employed by Sir Donald kept
strict watch of the mails. It was in compliance with my instructions
that Mary moved, ceased writing, and since remained in seclusion. I and
Paul saw her to-day, and she knows of your expected arrival. We arranged
this place of meeting. You must stay here until further plans for the
safety of all can be devised. To-night we will again see Mary, and have
her call to-morrow at two o'clock in the aftern