man, and
only John O'Gorman can sign for its receipt."

Again the Professor reflected. He seemed considerably disturbed.

"What is the business of John O'Gorman, your father?" he presently
inquired.

"He's a member of the government's secret service," Josie replied,
watching his face.

The professor's eyes widened; he stood a moment as if turned to stone.
Then he gave a little, forced laugh and said:

"I'm obliged to make a trip to Washington, on business, and I thought
perhaps I'd pick up the--ah--the box, there, and ship to Dorfield.
The old desk isn't valuable, except--except that it's--ah--antique
and--unusual. I'd like to get it back and I'll return to you the money you
paid for it, and the freight charges. If you'll write a note to the
railway company, saying the box was wrongly addressed and asking that
it be delivered to my order, I think I can get it."

Josie agreed to this at once. She wrote the note and also gave
Professor Dyer the freight receipt. But she refused to take his money.

"There might be some hitch," she explained. "If you get the box, and it
reaches Dorfield safely, then I'll accept the return of my money; but
railroads are unreliable affairs and have queer rules, so let's wait
and see what happens."

The Professor assured her, however, that there was no doubt of his
getting the box, but he Would wait to pay her, if she preferred to let
the matter rest. When he had gone away--seeming far more cheerful than
when he came--Mary Louise said to Josie:

"This is a very unfortunate and embarrassing affair, all around. I'm so
sorry we took that furniture from Mrs. Dyer before her husband came
home and gave his consent. It is very embarrassing."

"I'm glad, for my part," was the reply. Josie's blue eyes were shining
innocently and her smile was very sweet. Mary Louise regarded her
suspiciously.

"What is it, Josie!" she demanded. "What has that old desk to do
with--with--"

"The German spy plot? Just wait and see, Mary Louise."

"You won't tell me?"

"Not now, dear."

"But why did you ship the thing to Washington, if it is likely to prove
a valuable clue?"

"Why ask questions that I can't answer? See here, Mary Louise: it isn't
wise, or even safe, for me to tell you anything just yet. What I know
frightens me--even _me!_ Can't you wait and--trust me?"

"Oh, of course," responded Mary Louise in a disappointed voice. "But I
fail to understand what Professor Dyer's old desk can possibl