He went into the hall, opened the door, and peered out into the dimly-lighted street.
No one was to be seen, but a small bit of folded paper fell at his feet, evidently having been but slightly attached to the edge of the casing.
Seizing the paper, the young man closed the door and went back to the cozy cottage parlor.
"Who was it, August?"
But just then the young man was too busy imbibing the contents of the bit of paper to heed the words of his mother.
"MR. BORDINE—Be ever on the alert. A conspiracy has been formed for your destruction. It is time you were up and doing. Silas Keene has already fallen, and you have been marked. I implore you, be on your guard.
"A. FRIEND."
After a moment given to thought, August handed the note over to his mother.
"What does it mean?"
This was her comment after she had possessed herself of the contents of the mysterious note.