“Yes,” I answered, with a quick intaking of the breath; “I’ll come!”

He clapped me on the shoulder, his face beaming.

“I knew you would!  To-morrow night, then—­I’ll call for you here at seven o’clock.  We’ll have dinner together—­and then, hey for the great secret!  Agreed?”

“Agreed!” I said.

He caught up coat and hat and started for the door.

“There are things to do,” he said; “that armour to prepare—­the plan of campaign to consider, you know.  Good-night, then, till—­this evening!”

The door closed behind him, and his footsteps died away down the hall.  I looked at my watch—­it was nearly two o’clock.

Dizzily I went to bed.  But my sleep was broken by a fearful dream—­a dream of a serpent, with blazing eyes and dripping fangs, poised to strike!

CHAPTER X

PREPARATIONS

My first thought, when I awoke next morning, was for Parks, for Godfrey’s manner had impressed me with the feeling that Parks was in much more serious danger than either he or I suspected.  It was with a lively sense of relief, therefore, that I heard Parks’s voice answer my call on the ’phone.

“This is Mr. Lester,” I said.  “Is everything all right?”

“Everything serene, sir,” he answered.  “It would take a mighty smooth burglar to get in here now, sir.”

“How is that?” I asked.

“Reporters are camped all around the house, sir.  They seem to think somebody else will be killed here to-day.”

He laughed as he spoke the words, but I was far from thinking the idea an amusing one.

“I hope not,” I said, quickly.  “And don’t let any of the reporters in, nor talk to them.  Tell them they must go to the police for their information.  If they get too annoying, let me know, and I’ll have an officer sent around.”

“Very good, sir.”

“And, Parks.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Don’t let anybody in the house—­no matter what he wants—­unless Mr. Grady or Mr. Simmonds or Mr. Goldberger accompanies him.  Don’t let anybody in you don’t know.  If there is any trouble, call me up.  I want you to be careful about this.”

“I understand, sir.”

“How is Rogers?” I asked.

“Much better, sir.  He wanted to get up, but I told him he might as well stay in bed, and I’d look after things.  I thought that was the best place for him, sir.”

“It is,” I agreed.  “Keep him there as long as you can.  I’ll come in during the day, if possible; in any event, Mr. Godfrey and I will be there this evening.  Call me at the office, if you need me for anything.”

“Very good, sir,” said Parks again, and I hung up.

I glanced through Godfrey’s account of the affair while I ate my breakfast, and noted with amusement the sly digs taken at Commissioner Grady.  Under the photograph of the unknown woman was the legend: