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164 I fear that your bodyguard in front of the shop may become concerned for your safety."

Odell laughed.

"An armistice then, Mr. Drew." He nodded in response to the other's half-mocking bow as he passed through the door. "In spite of your convictions I may be able to struggle along without agreeing to your terms, so don't count on hearing from me too soon."

"I don't!" Drew's laughter rang out once more as he closed the door, and the same note of exultance sounded in his tones as before. What could it mean? He had not achieved his ends, he had not regained possession of the note; and yet his manner during the last few minutes of their interview, had been that of one whose purpose had triumphed.

The light had gone out suddenly in the room behind him even before he had passed the window; and as the detective stumbled along in the darkness of the alley he pondered upon this latest problem of all which that day had presented. He did not underrate Drew's cleverness. The latter had become cognizant of his surveillance, and resolved to turn it to good account; but had the possession of the note been the real point at issue, the motive back of that invitation tea conference?

Drew must know as well as he that with Gene's testimony the note would be superfluous or at best merely corroborative evidence if any charge were to be brought against him, and he must also be aware of the remoteness of such a possibility. What then could have been his object in seeking the interview?

At this juncture Odell reached the mouth of the alley,