It was nearing midnight when Burton left his room and strolled out with a cigar. His objective point was Watson\'s house, and it was by no means necessary to go by Rowan Street to get there. Indeed, it was distinctly out of his way. Nevertheless, that was the way he took. He stopped at the farthest corner of the grounds for a moment, and looked up at the great house hidden among the trees. If he were foolishly indulging in mere dreams, his fancies were suddenly and unexpectedly scattered, for while he looked, one of the windows on the second floor was pushed softly up and a man\'s form appeared in it for a moment. It was the window to Henry\'s room. Burton was instantly alert. Henry was to be kept under strict guard. Was it possible that he was trying to make an escape? A moment resolved the doubt, for Henry came again to the window, let himself out with obvious precautions to go softly, and then swung himself into the branches of the oak from which Burton himself had once looked into that room. With a vivid realization of what Henry\'s escape on this night of all nights might mean, Burton vaulted the fence and ran to the tree. He reached it just as Henry touched the ground.

"See here, this won\'t do," he began argumentatively.

But Henry was in no mood for argument. With an exclamation of surprise and impatience, he started for the street. But Burton sprang after him and caught his arm.

"I say, Underwood!" he panted.

"Confound your meddling, I wish you would let me alone," Henry answered between his teeth, and with a sudden effort he wrenched himself free and darted off. Burton was staggered for a moment, then he set out in pursuit. Whatever happened, Henry\'s alibi must be clear! Henry vaulted the fence, and Burton went over a minute later. He was congratulating himself, with some surprise over it, that he was able to keep so nearly up with a young fellow who must be about ten years his junior, when Henry disappeared. When Burton came up to the spot he saw that Henry must have gone between two close-set buildings; but there was little use in trying to follow. Henry probably knew his way through the town as well as through his own garden. If he wanted to elude Burton, it was a very easy feat. And it was quite clear to the dullest understanding that this was what he wanted to do. Certainly the gods must have set their seal upon the man for early destruction. Burton shrugged his shoulders, put his hat back at the customary angle, and set off for Watson\'s.

He had not wished to arrive at Watson\'s too early, but now he suddenly had a panic fear that he might be too la............