Pape stepped back and waited until the heavy on-comer was about to enter the park, then sprang out and blocked the way. “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded. From surprise or alarm the man backed a step or two. “To—to the police station,” he answered nervously. “Why didn’t you telephone? that would have been quicker. You seem in a hell of a hurry.” “The wires are cut, sir.” “Who are you anyway?” Pape’s demand was uttered with a note of authority. “I am Jasper—the Sturgis’ butler. Mrs. Sturgis has sent me to bring a detective.” With a short laugh Pape approved the born butler’s habit of subordination. “You’re in luck, Jasper. I’m the very man you’re looking for. Lead me to the case.” His location—he well might have been coming from the Central Park station house—favored him. The Arsenal could be seen a few yards within the wall. Although he had no shield to show, nor named himself a sergeant of the Force, the butler seemed satisfied with the assertion and his own misconclusions. Dutifully, he led the way back to the house which he had quitted in such a hurry. “This rushing about gets me in the wind, sir,” complained Jasper _en route_. “I fear I am growing a bit weighty. And what a comfort is the telephone. Things like that, sir, you never miss until they’re gone. Ah, sir, excitement like this is bad for the heart.” Opening the door with a latch key, he conducted his find across the reception hall, up a broad flight of stairs and into a formally furnished drawing-room. From between wide doors, half opened into a room beyond, appeared a woman of medium height, whose looks made unnecessary any introduction as Irene’s mother. If her mauve crape dress revealed rather too distinctly her plump outlines, it softened the middle-aged beauty of her face and toned with the magnificent grayish pearls she wore. “Is this the detective, Jasper?” she asked, but did not await an answer. “I’ll ring when I want you again.” She turned to the stranger as the butler passed out of the room. “Thank you for answering our call for help so promptly Mr. ——” “Pape, madam.” “Won’t you take off your coat and be seated, Mr. Pape? This is in some respects an unusual robbery, and your investigation probably will take some time.” He followed her suggestion with alacrity, using a nearby Davenport to rack his hat and overcoat. It would be an advantage, he considered, to be in possession of as many facts as possible, before Jane appeared to expose him. Facts might help him in some way to induce her to go on playing the game as she had in the Metropolitan box. “Best begin at the very beginning, Mrs. Sturgis.”