Tony, having hit on a plan, sat down and put it into instant execution. Opening his Baedeker, he turned to Riva and picked out the first hotel that was mentioned. Then he wrote two letters, both short and to the point; he indulged in none of Constance's vacillations, and yet in their way his letters also were masterpieces of illusion. The first was addressed to Miss Constance Wilder at Villa Rosa. It ran-- 'HOTEL SOLE D'ORO, 'RIVA, AUSTRIA. 'DEAR MISS WILDER: Nothing would give me greater pleasure than spending a few days in Valedolmo, but unfortunately I am pressed for time, and am engaged to start Thursday morning with some friends on a trip through the Dolomites. 'Trusting that I may have the pleasure of making your acquaintance at some future date, 'Yours truly, 'JERYMN HILLIARD, JR.' The second letter was addressed to his sister, but he trusted to luck that Constance would see it. It ran-- 'HOTEL SOLE D'ORO, 'RIVA, AUSTRIA. 'DEAR NAN: Who in thunder is Constance Wilder? She wants us to stop and make a visit in Valedolmo. I wouldn't step into that infernal town, not if the king himself invited me--it's the deadest hole on the face of the earth. You can stay if you like and I'll go on through the Dolomites alone. There's an American family stopping here who are also planning the trip--a stunning girl; I know you'd like her. 'Of course the travelling will be pretty rough. Perhaps you and Aunt Kate would rather visit your friends and meet me later in Munich. If you decide to take the trip, you will have to come on down to Riva as soon as you get this letter, as we're planning to pull out Thursday morning. 'Sorry to hurry you, but you know my vacation doesn't last for ever. 'Love to Aunt Kate and yourself, 'Yours ever, 'JERRY.' He turned the letters over to Gustavo with a five-franc note, leaving Gustavo to decide with his own conscience whether the money was intended for himself or the steward of the _Regina Margarita_. This accomplished, he slipped out unobtrusively and took the road toward Villa Rosa.