“Yes. It hardly stopped for me to do so. A masked man was seated in it. He at once assured me that I was in no personal danger, and he then insisted upon blindfolding me. I consented reluctantly and he drew a black cap over my head. I then could see nothing, absolutely nothing, and I have no idea where I was taken.” “Where did you bring up?” Nick inquired. “In a house or building into which I was led, still blindfolded,” said Garland. “I do not know where it is located. I haven’t the slightest idea. I heard the closing of a heavy door after entering, and I presently felt the downward movement of an elevator. I found myself in a lighted room a moment later, and the cap was removed from my head.” “And then?” “Two masked men stood beside me. A third was seated at a table. In one corner stood a large photographic camera. The man at the table was not masked. It was, as you probably infer, Andy Margate.” “Yes, no doubt,” Nick said dryly. “Well, what followed? What did Margate want of you?” “That may be told in a nutshell.” “Briefly stated, then?” “Margate has photograph copies of all of the government plans stolen from me a month ago. They were taken during the short time he had the plans in his possession.” “Ah, I see!” said Nick. “That is, indeed, a serious matter. What does Margate intend doing with them?” “He threatens to sell them to foreign powers,” replied Garland, shuddering. “Think what that would mean! Thank God, however, he offered me one alternative.” “Ah!” Nick again exclaimed a bit dryly. “What is the alternative?” “The privilege of buying them myself.” “Humph! Have you consented to do so?” “What else could I do?” Garland demanded. “My position is worse than it was a month ago. If photograph copies of the government plans are possessed by this scoundrel, they are even more dangerous than the originals, which could be entirely changed if known to be hopelessly lost. In view of uncertainty concerning photograph copies, however, construction work in accord with the plans might be adhered to with disastrous consequences. You know what might follow if----” “If war were declared, and our foes had photographic plans of our coast defenses--yes, I know all about that,” Nick interrupted. “But that’s in the dim and distant future. Let’s stick to the game that now is being played. Did you consent to buy the photographs?” “Yes.” “For what price?” “One hundred thousand dollars was demanded,” Garland said, with a groan. “I protested that it was more than I could possibly raise. Margate had learned, however, that I had a fortune of about sixty thousand dollars. He agreed to compromise at eighty thousand, and I was allowed ten days in which to raise the needed twenty. The infernal knave will not only leave me penniless, but also plunge me deep in debt.” “Have you raised the money?” “All but five thousand, for which I think I can make arrangements to-morrow.” “To-morrow,” Nick echoed. “That is your last day of grace, is it not?”