stepped out, as the driver brought the taxi to a slow stop at
the curb.

"Stay around the corner!" he ordered. "Stay, till I send word. Here's a
dollar for supper. Get that and wait!"

The driver touched his cap and reached for the bill. Drew swung
northward, threw back his head, and plowed along the snow-laden
sidewalk. Delaney's statement over the telephone had stirred every drop
of red blood in his body. Loris was in danger! This nerved him on. He
clenched his gloved fists as he reached the first side street. He
crossed the wheel-churned snow, with his lips gripped in a hard white
line. His eyes raised in heavy-lidded scrutiny of the towering turrets
and spires of the mansion. Lights shone from its windows as if in
defiance to the powers of darkness which encompassed the dwelling.

A snow-crusted form stepped out from a basement shelter. Drew raised
his arm as a barrier when a figure of a man lurched in his direction.

"Hello, O'Toole!" he blurted, recognizing the operative. "What are
_you_ doing here?"

O'Toole jerked a mittened finger in the direction of the mansion. "Our
lad's in there," he said, thrashing his arms and flipping his finger
for a second time. "Harry Nichols!" he explained.

"S--o! The whole case seems to be gathering again. Every clue leads
this way now. What did you learn to-day?"

O'Toole yawned. "I got on the job early," he said with frosty breath.
"I waited. The lad came down. He got in a taxi and I'm right after him.
First he went to the Quartermaster's Offices at the Battery. Then he
went to Governor's Island. From there I trailed him to the Red Cross
Headquarters. He 'phoned Gramercy Hill 9764, at least three times."

"To the girl in the case?"

"Yep, Chief! He's gone on her. He tended to some funeral matters
connected with Stockbridge, bought some flowers--three dozen lilies of
the valley--then came on up here. I've been waiting a long time."

"Seen anybody about?"

"Delaney and some Central Office men--that's all! Shall I stay here?"

"Not here! Jump back in the alley and watch the junction-box. I think
Delaney has been there. You'll find the snow melted in spots. Plant
somewhere, and keep your eyes open. Grab anybody you see tampering with
the wires to the house. I'm looking for trouble to-night. They
threatened Loris with a letter this afternoon."

Drew did not stop to explain. He hurried on ahead of O'Toole, turned at
the iron-grilled gate, passed through and pressed the b