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 crypt was windowless, but it was conceivable that a light in the interior might be seen from outside under the door leading into the gardens. Hence, doubtless, the precaution.

“You have made all preparations above, Duke?” was queried in the same piping voice.

“The bonds are in my own safe, and I obtained the key of the Senator’s despatch-box by a trick—picked his pocket, in fact—after dinner,” Forsyth replied, in a perfect imitation of Beaumanoir’s tone. He was beginning to feel more confident in being able to sustain his part; he would not, he thought, have lived to reach this parley if his disguise had been penetrated.

“Then,” the unseen spokesman proceeded, “all you have to do is to take this bundle of papers and place them in the box, extracting the originals, and returning here at once with them. It will then give me pleasure to absolve you from further service.”

Forsyth felt a large packet pressed into his grasp, and he instantly turned with it to go towards the steps, expecting that the lamp would be switched on to guide him. This proved to be the case, and he was glad that those five scoundrels only had a back view of