Suddenly she discovered a form pacing slowly up and down the otherwise
deserted alley. Fearful that other detectives were on the watch, and
might disrupt her plans, she strained her eyes to discover this
person's identity. There was but one light to relieve the gloom, and
that was far down the alley, a spot the prowler for some time avoided.
Finally, however, he came to a point where the light touched his face
and Josie instantly recognized Tom Linnet.

"He is waiting for someone," she decided, "and Kauffman is still at
dinner--killing time because it's yet too early to undertake his
nefarious task. Tom Linnet may be the tool he has selected, and I ought
to get in touch with the boy, somehow, before he meets the arch
conspirator. Kauffman is the one I prefer to land."

With this in mind, she hurried down, passed out at the front office
doorway and turned into a narrow drive at the south of the hotel, which
led to the rear alley. A great business block, now dark and deserted,
loomed on the other side of the driveway, which was used by the baggage
and supply wagons in the daytime.

When the girl reached the corner of the alley she found herself in very
deep shadow; so she ventured to protrude her head far enough to look
after Tom Linnet. To her surprise the party he had been waiting for had
already joined him, for she discovered two dusky forms pacing the
alley.

It could not be Kauffman. While she hesitated whether to steal closer
or maintain her position, the two advanced almost to her corner and
paused there--in the blackest spot they could find.

"I tell you I won't do it!" said Tom, in a hard, dogged tone that was
tense with excitement. "I'm through, and that's all there is to it."

"That's a mistaken notion," was the quiet reply. "You're too deep in
the plot to draw back, and the pay is well worth while."

"I don't want any more money," growled Tom.

"You'll get two thousand for this night's work. Cash. And there is no
risk; you know that."

"Risk? God, man! Can't you guess how I dream of those poor devils I
sent to their death in the airplane job? I hate the money I got!
I--I--"

"See here," said the other voice impatiently, "that was a mistake, and
you know it. We didn't intend murder, but the explosion was delayed. No
one will get hurt to-night."

"Not through me," declared Tom.

"If you fail us, you'll come to grief."

"If I come to grief, so will you. Peach on me, and I'll blow the whole
deal.