At least luck favored him and Eric could not say anything against the sudden whirl of the wheel that had left him in such an advantageous position.

He was naturally anxious to scan the note he held and learn its contents.

Looking around he saw a candy and ice cream saloon near by, where many ladies and few gentlemen passed in.

He believed, as the fall day was warm, that he could enjoy a plate of cream, so he entered, selecting a table in a corner that was isolated.

Here he gave his order, and while enjoying his cream opened the note.

It was sealed in the envelope, but the gum had stuck poorly, and he could easily open it with his knife blade.

Once the contents lay open before him he read: “To-night then it shall be. We are to have company at our house. I cannot get my trunk out without arousing his suspicions so I have sent everything to the place you named in packages by my maid. Have the carriage around the corner. I will slip out while the gayety is at its height, meet you at the door and in a minute we will be beyond his reach. He has been cruel to me, I fear him, and yet I love you, Paul, and will be yours forever.”

This time no signature.

The writer was learning caution.

Even initials might be dangerous.

As for Eric, he read this note over again with the deepest pain and surprise.

“She means to leave him—there is no doubt of that, but what can she have reference to when she speaks of his cruelty? Joe cruel—Joe, the kindest, mildest, dearest fellow, I ever knew. He could only be cruel by kindness. Either he has done too much for her, or else she is not in her right mind. If that man is cruel then Prescott is a devil, I’m sure. I would that the writer of this could find out the truth—it would serve her well if we let her go on and reap as she has sown but for the sake of my poor friend she must be saved.”He took out an old envelope and with a pencil copied the note verbatim.

Then he enclosed the original in the envelope, sealed it up, saw that the address was correct, and was ready to have it delivered.

When he issued forth from the confectionary, he looked about him until he saw a bright appearing district messenger boy sauntering along in the manner peculiar to his kind.

This youth he beckoned to his side.

“Can you spare five minutes, boy?”

The other grinned and nodded.

“Make it up later, mister.”

“All right. Here is a note, it is to be taken to the top floor of this number and delivered into the hands of Mr. Prescott, the artist. You can take the elevator up.”

“All right, boss.”

“You are to tell him a girl dressed in black and wearing a little maid’s cap on her head gave you the note.”

“Fine looking’ maid you are, mister.”

“Never mind—do as I say. Here’s fifteen cents. If you come and report to me the result, I have a quarter more for you.”

“Hey! I’m off like the limited express.”So saying he took note and money and plunged into the building with hot haste, determined to win the prize offered.

Eric waited patiently.

He knew he would see the boy again.

That silver quarter would serve as a magnet to draw him back to the spot.

Eric had not studied human nature thus long without being able to guess certain things, and in this instance his surmise proved correct.

Before the ten minutes had elapsed he saw the messenger boy come flying along in a way that must have amazed any person who had grown accustomed to the usual methods of these lads.

“Here you are, sir. Right side up with care. Found him in, and delivered the note.”

The grin on the boy’s face declared also that he had been paid for his work by the artist, but this was none of Eric’s business.

He took out a quarter.

“See here now, boy, I want you to prove what you say. What did you do?”

“Knocked on the door—a cove opened it—asked him if Paul Prescott was in—said as how he was the same—handed him the letter—he opened it, grinned, and gave me a shiner. Then I vamosed the ranch and came to you.”

“Did he ask you where you got it?”

“I told him the girl in black racket, which was really the worst I ever heard, but the fellow seemed to swallow it without question.”

“Describe the gentleman.”

This was the crucial test.

The boy obeyed without hesitation, and speedily proved that he must have seen and conversed with the artist himself.

After that Eric had no good reason for longer withholding the promised reward, which was quickly stowed away in the lad’s pocket.

The artist’s interview had not resulted in all that he expected, but he could not say it had been barren of profit. Then again what followed had made up in a measure for his defeat.

He knew the enemy’s plans.

Thus it would not be such a tremendous job to defeat them. Should Joe know?

He believed it would be policy to put him on his guard, and in that way the plotting of the enemy would prove less profitable. So it was to end to-night.

A carriage was to be in waiting at the corner, and while Joe’s attention was taken up with entertaining his guests, his wife would slip out and meet her lover.

Here was a chance for a little diplomacy.

For instance, perhaps it could be arranged that the real Prescott be kidnapped or otherwise kept out of the way, while Joe dressed himself up to resemble the other.

Then he could carry off his own wife, and at the proper time reveal his identity, and teach her a terrible lesson.

That would all be decidedly picturesque and highly dramatic, but there were a number of obstacles to it that would have to be overcome ere they could accomplish the best result.

These difficulties were of such a nature that it seemed as though they could not be overcome.

Darrell cast around him to see whether there was not some other means handy.

How would it do to have the artist arrested on some charge when on the way to the place of meeting?

He decided against this on the spot, for it was very apt to make the whole affair public gossip for the newspapers, something Joe would rather cut off his right hand than have occur.Next in order he thought that Lillian might be given something to make her sleepy or have such a headache that she could never carry out her part of the arrangement; but this was offensive to his official taste—he felt as though it was retreating before the attack, and it was not his intention to do this.

Finally he decided to see Joe—perhaps the other would suggest something that might open up a plausible scheme—some little hint dropped in conversation would give Eric the clew he was looking for.

Joe was still in his office.

He looked surprised to see his friend, and yet made no remark.

In spite of his effort to appear cheerful, the keen eye of the detective could see the traces of acute suffering in his face.

“I’ve been to see that man, Joe,” he said.

“You have?”

“Yes, I thought it might be best for all concerned if I could shame him into giving up his design.”

“That was too bad, Eric, I would have forbidden it had I known your intention.”

“I know it. The thought came to me after I had seen you. I am sorry now I went.”“You failed?”

“I did indeed.”

“Well, don’t be afraid to tell me. You see I’m calm and collected.”

Eric could not but notice this, but he did not like it.

In his mind it seemed like the awful stillness that precedes the hurricane.

He had no excuse for withholding anything so he told Joe what had occurred. “That man is an accomplished scoundrel,” the other said, quietly.

“I believe that myself, but don’t be afraid of our not mastering him. I discovered one of his weak points after leaving him.”

“Trust you for that—what was it?”

Eric proceeded to tell of his adventure. “Show me the duplicate,” said Joe, trembling with emotion.

When he had hastily read the copy Darrell had made, he uttered a low cry of despair. “Yes, it is so,” he muttered.

“What?”

“We are to have company to-night. It is my birthday, as I told you, and my wife said she had invited a few relatives and friends in to spend the evening—an informal affair with a little supper of coffee, cakes and ice cream. Yes, it is all a deep-laid scheme—and on my birthday too. Oh! Lillian, my wife, how could you!”

His arms lay upon the table, and he let his head fall heavily upon them.

Eric turned to the window and smoked his cigar in silence.

He had the deepest respect for the grief of his friend—it was the keenest misery a human soul can meet here below—death causes many pangs, but not the bitter blank that comes when one is betrayed by the individual he or she had been ready to die for.

Yes, from the hour the base Judas betrayed his loving Master, human misery has never known a lower depth than this.

For five minutes Joe fought his battle all alone, and then he looked up.

His face was set and calm, as though he had conquered again.

It was a bitter struggle and wearing upon him but he must go through to the end.

“Eric, I am ready to converse again. Pardon my weakness, old friend, but this is a cruel business. I did not think I was such a baby.“Baby! Great heavens! man, you bear it twice as well as I could. Such a thing would have murdered me outright.”

They began talking again.

Eric spoke of his unformed plans, and between them they began to patch up a scheme by means of which the end they sought would be attained without publicity.

What it was we shall not disclose just now, leaving that for the proper time.

At any rate it seemed to give poor Joe some satisfaction to think he was able to circumvent the villain who had destroyed his peace of mind.

“After all, it might be better for me to challenge that man, and kill him,” he said moodily.

“Yes, or leave Lillian a widow, at the mercy of any adventurer. Besides, in that way the whole dreadful story would get into the papers, and you could not live in New York even if that artist failed to murder you. No, you will find that the plan we have arranged is the best after all.”

“You are undoubtedly right, Eric—consider it settled, and prepare to carry it out. We will end this agony this night and that devil shall learn what he risks in attempting to steal another man’s treasure.”“You will not fail me, Joe?”

“It shall be the effort of my life, Darrell, to succeed. Have no fears of me—my pride has been aroused. It is not the weak lover but the outraged husband who speaks now.”