"Then listen. He has a most charming sister living in one of the interior towns of the State. She is the only relative he has in the wide world. You can strike the railroad detective through Nell Darrel."
"Yes, yes—go on."
"He is away most of his time, as you doubtless know——"
"And the girl is alone?"
"Save for an old negress. Don't interrupt me, please, until I tell you the exact situation. One of my acquaintances, a gentleman of means, and a mean gentleman, for that matter, wishes to get this girl into his possession. What object he may have does not matter, so long as he is willing to pay big for the work. All that is required of you, Mrs. Scarlet, is to furnish a room, and see that when once inside, Miss Darrel does not escape nor communicate with the outside world. Do you understand?"
"I do."
"And you will consent to act as this girl's keeper for a time?"
"Yes, yes," cried the woman, with eager emphasis, and then a low, half-suppressed sneeze startled them both.
Professor Darlington Ruggles sprang up and looked toward the door. It stood ajar, and through the opening peered a masked face, centered with a pair of glittering eyes.
Uttering a mad cry, Ruggles drew a concealed revolver and, leveling at the head, fired.