through timely
intervention at that deserted house--all are due to your unconscious
cooeperation.

"I fail to see that I have directly contributed to these discoveries. It
is not apparent that any of my well-matured plans even promised success.
Every subtly framed purpose has failed.

"London sleuths are camping on cold trails, tracing misleading clews,
poising for unavailing swoop upon flown quarry, densely ignorant of real
Lanier purposes. These highly paid pursuers of ever-eluding outlaws knew
nothing of that murderous assault upon William and Mary Dodge until
after I had cabled the news to London. Their shifts had been so
ineffective that no plausible theory could be advanced for farcical
arrests, unwarranted detentions, failure to prosecute for undisputed
felonious assaults, strange releases, or continued custody of the
intended victim.

"But for my promise made to Oswald Langdon, I now might abandon this
search. There seems no justification for further employment of
detectives. The expense has been large. Results are unimportant.

"That fellow so trustingly followed my advice, and promptly sailed
without purposed haven on the tramp steamer, it now would be heartless
desertion not to continue even doubtful agencies in solution of this
most vexing problem."

Sir Donald well knows that his daughter feels interest in the success of
this pursuit. Though mute as to proposed tactics, her startled mien,
hopeful inquiring glances, close attention, quivering lips, turned-away,
drooping eyelids, reserved silences, and far-off looks, cannot
dissemble. Sir Donald sees these signs and interprets them aright. To
Esther he says: "I will continue this undertaking. Loyalty to human duty
shall be my concern. Results may owe other allegiance. There may be
accounting for those interlopers who, crossing boundaries of warranted
care, trespass upon exclusive 'preserves' of more imperious power. Such
presumption may be 'les majeste' against Providence."

With such sentiment Sir Donald dismisses all idea of quitting this
search.

Determined to do his utmost toward solution of all difficulties
hindering unraveling of this web, he will visit London and talk over the
whole matter with head of detective bureau.

In company with Esther, Sir Donald reaches London. They stop at a
prominent hotel. He soon calls at the bureau headquarters and waits for
appearance of the chief, who is closeted upon some important job. After
about an hour