a laugh. It was just that, no more, no less -- he was as likely
to have started on his ride from within a biscuit throw of
where he now stood, as to have started on it from miles
away!

But -- he aroused himself with a start -- he was wasting
time! It must be very late, near morning, and he would
have need for every moment that was left between now and
daylight. He turned, walked quickly to his house, mounted
the steps, and with his latch-key -- they had at least permitted
him to retain the contents of his pockets when they had forced
him to change his clothes -- opened the front door softly,
and, stepping inside, closed the door as silently as he had
opened it.

He paused for an instant to listen. There was not a sound.
The servants, naturally, would have been in bed hours ago.
Even old Jason -- Jimmie Dale smiled, half whimsically, half
affectionately -- whose paternal custom it was to sit up for
his Master Jim, who, as he was fond of saying, he had
dandled as a baby on his knee, had evidently given it up as
a bad job on this occasion and had turned in himself. Jason,
however, had left the light burning here in the big reception
hall.

Jimmie Dale stepped to the switch and turned off the
light; then stood hesitant in the darkness. Was there any-
thing to be gained by rousing Jason now and telling him what
he intended to do -- to instruct him to answer any inquiries
by the statement that "Mr. Dale had gone away for a
trip"? He could trust Jason; Jason already knew much --
more than one of those mysterious letters of the Tocsin's
had passed through Jason's hands.

Jimmie Dale shook his head. No; he could communicate
with Jason from downtown in the morning. He had half
expected to find Jason up, and, in that case, would have
taken the other, as far as necessary, into his confidence; but
it was not a matter that pressed for the moment. He could
get into touch with Jason at any time readily enough. Was
there anything else before he went? He would not be able
to get back as easily as he got out! Money! He shook

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