open tonight while they're having the wedding."

"You mean--?"

"I mean only a little joke. Nobody will be hurt, I feel sure. Of
course, if any one should be, you could not be blamed. Come, I want a
quick answer. If you won't do it, of course--you don't want anything
said about Brussels, do you, old friend?"

The man uttered another cry.

Owen drew money from his pocket. The man seized it greedily. If he
was to do the blackest of deeds, there was nothing in his conscience to
prevent him from profiting.

"Tonight--during the wedding, remember," said Owen. "I will give you
the signal. And, mind, you brute, if you don't do it, you know what
I'll do to you."

A few moments later he was out chatting cheerily with the grooms. "I'm
not going to ask you to help me with the car, Simon," he said. "You're
too crowded today, I see. I'll send Farrell up to the Hodgins House
and wait for him. Good-day."

He swung off down the road, greatly at peace with all the world. He
did not even rebuke his chauffeur when he caught him loafing on the
grass.

Harry and the household chauffeur, Farrell, were talking together
outside the garage and Harry was handing a $10 bill to Farrell, who
grinned broadly as he pocketed it. Owen saw nothing in this to cause
him apprehension. Harry was always generous with the employees. It
was well for Owen's plan that he should go to the wedding in so
pleasant a mood.

Pauline looked up from her book as Harry entered the library.

"I'm so happy," she cried. "You are a darling boy to come home so
soon."

He accepted her rewarding kiss gratefully.

"Yes, I think it's all right," he said, "though there are some serious
matters in hand at the office."

The butler appeared at the door. "Farrell asks if he may have a word
with you, Sir."

"Farrell? Why, yes; let him come here."

The chauffeur, cap in hand, stepped into the room.

"Guess I got to take the big car to New York, Sir. I haven't got the
parts to fix it, and I can't get them nowhere but in New York."

"Very well; that's all right, Farrell."

"But be back surely by four o'clock, Farrell," warned Pauline. "You
are the only driver I have."

"Oh, I'll get back all right, Miss."

But immediately after uttering these words in a tone of perfect
respect, Farrell committed an astonishing offense against the laws that
separate servitor and employer. He caught the shimmer of a wink upon
Harry's eye, and he had the audac