r leads the way to a door,
which he unlocks. Both enter, and Sir Donald is left with assurance that
the man soon will return.

In about fifteen minutes Alice Webster appears, followed by this male
enigma. She looks scared and greatly confused.

Sir Donald advances, and with courtesy says:

"I am happy to see you, Alice!"

The girl stammers and sinks back on the sofa. She soon becomes calmer,
and presents her uncle, Thomas Webster.

After a few remarks, the uncle leaves Sir Donald and Alice alone.

Seeing Alice's embarrassment, Sir Donald kindly says:

"I have not the least criticism of your conduct, Alice. Tell me all, and
I will be your friend. It has turned out gloriously!"

Thus encouraged, the girl begins her strange recital.

How years before, with Oswald Langdon, she took the night row on the
Thames, strolled along the river-bank, and chatted at the rustic seat,
is brokenly described. The assault and fall of both into swollen stream
are shudderingly explained. Alice pauses.

"Must I tell the rest?"

Sir Donald speaks assuringly.

They hear suppressed murmurs at outside entrance to the hallway. Thomas
Webster goes to the door. Three men are in sight. One inquires for Sir
Donald Randolph.

"It is important that we see him at once."

Alice still pauses.

Hurriedly her uncle enters. He advises Sir Donald to see these callers
without delay.

Going to the hall door, Sir Donald recognizes Charles, who explains
their unceremonious call.

"I went as directed to the detective office and reported. After some
little time employes who had shadowed that Thames spy arrived. These
expressed the opinion that the couple who left the hotel were the girl
and this same mysterious watcher, and that they went directly to this
inn. The strange spy often had gone there, presumably to report. These
two employes and I took a cab to the hotel where we have stopped. We
there learned that you and a middle-aged man a short time before entered
a cab and were driven away. Then we believed that the two had gone to
this inn. To circumvent any escape or trick upon you, I then insisted on
finding you without delay. We have just arrived and will do as you think
advisable."

Sir Donald stepped back into the room and briefly explained to Thomas
Webster what had occurred. They decided it would be better not to tarry
longer. On the next day Alice could finish her story. These detective
employes need not further trouble themselves i