Owing to his little encounter with the Celestial, Stanhope knows himself cut off from communication with Mr. Follingsbee, and he now creeps toward the dressing-room wholly intent upon securing the domino and quitting the house in the quickest manner possible. As he approaches the window, however, he realizes that there is another lion in his path. [Illustration: "Stanhope, bounding to his feet, springs through the open window"--page 99.] The room is already occupied; he hears two voices speaking in guarded tones. "Be quick, Harvey; some one may come in a moment." "I have locked the door." "But it must be opened at the first knock. There must be no appearance of mystery, no room for suspicion, Harvey." At the sound of a most familiar voice, Richard Stanhope starts, and flushes with excitement underneath his mask. Then he presses close against the window and peers in. Two men are rapidly exchanging garments there; the one doffing a uniform such as is worn by an officer of Her Majesty's troops, the other passing over, in exchange for said uniform, the suit of a common policeman. With astonished eyes and bated breath, Stanhope recognizes the two. Van Vernet, his friend, and Harvey, a member of the police force, who is Vernet's staunch admirer and chosen assistant when such assistance can be of use. How came Vernet at this masquerade, of all others? And what are they about to do? He is soon enlightened, for Van Vernet, flushed with his success, present and prospective, utters a low triumphant laugh as he dons the policeman's coat, and turns to readjust his mask. "Ah! Harvey," he says gayly; "if you ever live to execute as fine a bit of strategy as I did to-night, you may yet be Captain of police. Ha! ha! this most recent battle between America and England has turned out badly for America--all because she _will_ wear petticoats!" America! England! petticoats! Stanhope can scarcely suppress an exclamation as suddenly light flashes upon his mental horizon. "I've done a good thing to-night, Harvey," continues Vernet with unusual animation, "and I've got the lead on a sharp man. If I can hold my own to-night, you'll never again hear of Van Vernet as only '_one_ of our best detectives.' Is your mask adjusted? All right, then. Now, Harvey, time presses; there's a big night's work before me. You are sure you understand everything?" "Oh, perfectly; _my_ work's easy enough." "And mine begins to be difficult. Unlock the door, Harvey, I must be off." Then turning sharply he adds, as if it were an after-thought: "By the way, if you happen to set your eye on a Goddess of Liberty, just note her movements; I would give something to know when she contrives to leave the house and," with a dry laugh, "and _how_." In another moment the dressing-room is deserted.