Zita, for a moment, was on the verge of breaking down, but recovered herself and, with an angry retort on her lips, went out, slamming the door behind her.
Zita slipped around the house and to the hedge designated by Balcom as their meeting-place.
She was surprised but relieved when she did not find him there, and glanced at her wrist watch, which stood at a few minutes past eight. She was about to turn around when she caught sight of a bit of paper. Taking it, she read:
Bring him to my rooms.
That was all, and the message was unsigned.
Zita greatly feared Balcom's wrath at her failure, but, nevertheless, she started for his apartment.
At that moment Balcom and the mysterious Doctor Q were talking in the latter's dingy laboratory. Doctor Q's mind, for the time being, at least, seemed perfectly clear, and he had formulated a daring plan.
"Send Locke word that you will give yourself up," he was saying, "but tell him that he must come to your apartment to get you. I will do the rest."
Balcom left hurriedly and was driven directly home, where he got Locke on the telephone and repeated the instructions that Doctor Q had suggested.
"Am I to understand that you intend to turn state's evidence?" questioned Locke, doubtfully.