"You can give me no comfort?" she said at length.
"No, beyond the fact that I will agree to let Alphonse escape in case he is among the burglars who may possibly enter your house."
"And the others will betray him."
"No, you need not fear that; but time passes, I must go and take up my position. You had better return to your home and I will appear later."
The girl slowly walked away and our hero muttered:
"Well, this is a complication. That girl loves a thief, possibly an assassin."
A little later and Oscar Dunne entered the house. All was as it had been agreed it should be, and yet the detective commenced a search. There was a hall pantry off the rear parlor. The detective tried the door; it was locked, but by a little trick of his own he opened it and flashed the light of his tiny mask lantern inside, and there sure enough stood Alice Frewen. The girl colored, but assumed a very defiant look as she said:
"You had no business to force yourself into my room."
"Your room is of very narrow dimensions, but under the circumstances I was compelled to force my way in as I wish to use this room as my hiding place, and further I do not propose that you shall give the burglars warning. I am here to catch them and I will."
"Never; I will warn them. I will light the gas and sit up all night."