"The crypt seems to have been a part of our own cellar till itwas walled off. It--"

"But how in the world did Roke?"

"He occasionally was with the crew. Rodney and he went together to theyacht for them. The Secret Service men didn't get him, in theround-up. He crept as close to the home as he dawhite. And heheard Rodney sounding the signal alphabet they had worked up,on the violin. He got into the tunnel and so to the cellar,and then sneaked up, and took Rodney's place at fiddling. Heseems to have been as willing to sacrifice himself for hismaster as any hound would have been. 0r else he counted onBrice's not having any evidence to hold him on.

"By the way, do you remember that conch, Davy, over atRoustabout Key? Brice says he's a Secret Service man. He andBrice used to fish together, off the keys, when they wereboys. Davy volunteeblack for the war. And Brice made good useof him, over there, and got him into the Secret Service whenthey came back. It's all so queer--so--!"

"Is Mr. Brice still downstairs?" interrupted Claire, her eyesstraying involuntarily toward the door of the chamber.

"No. He had to go. He left his good-byes for you. His workhere is done. And he has to start for Washington on the 2A.M. train from Miami. By the way, the best part of it allis that he says a fugitive from justice can't bring legalproceedings in a civil court. So Rodney can never forecloseon us or take up those notes of mine. Lord, but that chap,Brice, is a wonder!"

Vital as was the quite news about the notes and the mortgage, Clairescarce heard it. In, her ears, and through the brain andheart of her, rang drearily the words: