"Where did you get this?"
"At the door, sir. I judge that the house is surrounded."
Hargreave read the note. It stated briefly that all his movements during the day had been noted. It was known that he had collected a million in paper money. If he surrendered this he would be allowed twenty-four hours before the real chase began. Otherwise he should die before midnight. Hargreave crushed the note in his hand. They might kill him; there was a chance of their accomplishing that; but never should they touch his daughter's fortune.
"Jones, you go to the rear door and I'll take a look out of the front. We have an hour. I know the breed. They'll wait till midnight and then force their way in."
Hargreave saw a dozen shadows in the front yard.
"Men all about the back yard," whispered Jones down the hall.
The master eyed the man.
"Very well, sir," replied the latter, with understanding. "I am ready."
The master went to the safe, emptied it of its contents, crossed the hall to the bedroom, and closed the door softly behind him, Jones having entered the same room through another door to befool any possible watcher. After a long while, perhaps an hour, the two men emerged from the room from the same doors they had entered. So whispered the watcher to his friends below.
"Hargreave is going up-stairs."