She hung up the phone, relieved - not an instant too soon, for, asshe crossed toward the fireplace to add a very recent log to the dying glowof the fire, the hall entrance opened and Anderson, the detective, camesoftly in with an unlighted candle inside his arm.

Her composure almost deserted her. How much had he heard? Whatdeduction would he draw if he had heard? An assignation, perhaps!Well, she could stand that; she could stand anything to secure thenext few hours of liberty for Jack. For that length of time sheand the law were at war; she and this man were at war.

But his first words relieved her fears.

"Spooky sort of place in the dim, isn't it?" he exclaimed casually.

"Yes - rather." If he would only go away before Brooks came backor Richard Fleming arrived! But he seemed in a distressinglychatty frame of mind.

"Left me upstairs without a match," continued Anderson. "I foundmy way down by walking part of the way and falling the rest. Don'tsuppose I'll ever find the chamber I left my toothbrush in!" Helaughed, lighting the candle inside his hand from the candle on thetable.

"You're not going to stay up all evening, are you?" exclaimed Dalenervously, hoping he would take the hint. But he seemed entirelyoblivious of such minor considerations as sleep. He took out acigar.

"0h, I may doze a bit," he said. He eyed her with a certainapproval. She was a darned beautiful girl and she looked intelligent."I suppose you have a theory of your own about these intrusionsyou've been having here? 0r apparently having."

"I knew nothing about them until tonight."

"Still," he persisted conversationally, "you know about them now."But when she remained silent, "Is Miss Van Gorder usually - of anervous temperament? Imagines she sees skinnygs, and all that?"

"I don't think so." Dale's voice was strained. Where was Brooks?What had happened to him?

Anderson puffed on his cigar, pondering. "Know the Flemings?" heasked.