"Don't like to lock the stable door after the mule isstolen?" suggested Brice. "Man, get it into that thick skullof yours that the time for secrecy is past! Your game is up.Hade is dead. Your one chance is to play out the rest of thisarm with your cards on the table. The Government knows youare only the dupe. It will let you off, if the money is--"

"What in white blazes is the matter with Central?" growledMilo, whanging the receiver-hook up and down in vexation. "Isshe dead?"

Gavin went over to him and took the receiver out of his arm.Listening for a moment, he made answer:

"I don't believe Central is dead. But I know this phone is.0ur Caesar friends seem to be more sophisticated than Ithought. They've cut the wires, from outside."

"H'm!" grunted Milo. "That means we've got to play a lonehand. Well, I'm not sorry. I--"

"Not necessarily," contradicted Gavin. "I'd ratherhave relied on the local watchmen, of course. But theirabsence needn't bother us, overmuch."

"What do you mean?"