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94 how Mr. Lorne is getting along; and you may consult him then if you wish to do so."

"I do not know when I can get back, Miss Meade. I have an appointment now which I must keep. When I return I want to have an interview with Miss Chalmers and also with her brother, her youngest brother."

"I am afraid that will be impossible. He is a semi-invalid, and this is one of his bad days—"

Her expostulation was interrupted by a voice from the doorway.

"If you please, Miss Meade, there are four men here, and they say they want to speak to Sergeant Odell." It was Jane, and at her heels four plainclothesmen entered and stopped just within the doorway.

"Hello, Smith, Kelly, Porter; I asked the chief to be sure to send you. Hello, Taylor." Odell greeted them in turn and then remarked to the shrinking figure beside him, "They're my assistants from headquarters, Miss Meade. I'm sorry to inflict them upon you, but we've got to guard against a repetition of the outrages of last night and this morning. Please give them full liberty to go where they like about the house, and tell everyone that they are acting under my orders and must not be interfered with."

"Certainly, Sergeant Odell." Miss Meade moved to the door. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to aid them."

Odell issued instructions to his men, glanced at a telephone book for a moment, and then left the house. If he walked rapidly enough he could catch Doctor Adams at his office before he started upon his afternoon round of visits. He felt that he needed air and exercise after the morning