“That’s the idea,” he cried.  “You can run the line from the brackets to this door-knob and the mat.  How’s that?”

“Very clever,” flattered the man, putting on a heavy pair of rubber gloves.

Taking a pair of pliers and other tools from a closet in the library, he began removing the electric fixture from the wall.  As Del Mar directed, the man ran a wire from the fixture along the moulding, and down the side of a door, where he made a connection.

In the meantime Del Mar brought out a wire mat and laid it in front of the door where any one who entered or left would be sure to step on it.  The various connections made, the man placed a switch in the concealment of a heavily-curtained window and replaced everything as he found it.

Thus it was that Elaine and I came at last to Del Mar’s bungalow, I must admit, with some misgivings.  But I had gone too far to draw back now and Elaine was more eager even than I was.  We dismounted, tethered our horses and went toward the house, where I rang the bell.

Preparations for our reception had just been completed and Del Mar was issuing his final instructions to his man, when the valet, Henry, ran in hastily.

“They’re here, sir, now,” he announced excitedly.

“All right, I’m ready,” nodded Del Mar, turning to his man again and indicating a place back of the folds of the heavy curtains by the window.  “You get back there by that switch.  Don’t move—­don’t even breathe.  Now, Henry, let them in.”

As his valet withdrew Del Mar gazed about his library to make sure that everything was all right.  Just then the valet reappeared and ushered us in.

“Good morning,” greeted Del Mar pleasantly.  “I see that you got my note and I’m glad you were so prompt.  Won’t you be seated?”

Both Elaine and I were endeavoring to appear at ease.  But there was a decided tension in the atmosphere.  We sat down, however.  Del Mar did not seem to notice anything wrong.

“I’ve something at last to report to you about Kennedy,” he said a moment later, clearing his throat.

. . . . . . .

Aunt Josephine turned from us as Elaine and I rode off on our horses from Dodge Hall considerably worried.

Then an idea seemed to occur to her and she walked determinedly into the house.

“Jennings,” she called to the butler, “have the limousine brought around from the garage immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am,” acquiesced the faithful Jennings, hurrying out.

It was only a few minutes later that the car pulled around before the door.  Aunt Josephine bustled out and entered.

“Fort Dale,” she directed the driver, greatly agitated.  “Ask for Lieutenant Woodward.”

Out at Fort Dale, Woodward was much astonished when an orderly announced that Aunt Josephine was waiting in her car to see him on very urgent business.  He ordered that she be admitted at once.