ubber heels on their boots. The constable was then some distance
down the hill, therefore they passed him.

As they approached the house, the man whom I had heard addressed as
Giovanni hurried forward, and slipping suddenly into the narrow front
garden, approached the kitchen window. Inserting something between the
sashes, he pushed back the latch, carefully drew back the blind, and was
within the house almost before the two others had entered the garden.

Then, without a sound, the pair followed him. Indeed, the three spies
had entered the premises so quickly that we could scarcely believe our
own eyes.

"The police!" whispered Ray. "We must get the constable. Slip down the
hill and tell him. We'll make a fine capture this time!"

Down the hill I sped, and five minutes later was back with the
constable, having briefly explained to him our suspicions.

"I don't know anything about German spies, sir, but whoever's inside is
liable for burglariously entering, and we'll have 'em," whispered the
officer.

Silently we entered just as the spies had done, passing through the
kitchen, and up the stairs. The laboratory was at the top of the house I
knew, and was always kept locked. Therefore we crept forward, without
the slightest sound.

Once or twice, we listened. The spies were absolutely silent--well
trained to that sort of nocturnal investigation, no doubt.

As Ray and I got to the door of the big room, which, by the light of the
flash-lamp used by the intruders, we could see was fitted with all sorts
of appliances, we witnessed through the crack that they had secured a
number of specimens of metals and were all three at that moment engaged
in drilling a hole in the big dark green safe standing in the corner.

"Now," whispered the constable, "let's rush them." And with a loud shout
we dashed in upon them, revolvers in hand.

In an instant we were in total darkness. Deep curses in Italian sounded,
and I heard a desperate struggle taking place. Somebody grabbed at me,
but it was our friend the constable. Then, by the red flash of a
revolver which somebody fired, I distinguished the flying form of one of
the intruders through the doorway.

Next second, in the darkness, I felt a man brush past me, and instantly
I closed with him. We fell together, and as I gripped the fellow's
throat he ejaculated a loud imprecation in Italian. Then we rolled over
in desperate embrace, but as I forced him beneath me, shouting to the