They had now reached the window opening out upon the fire-escape. Harry softly raised the sash. Then he descended and assisted the young girl down. The snowshoes were found in the kitchen which luckily was deserted and Harry quickly appeared with them. They were put on and then Harry and his fair charge walked away across the white fields. Old King Brady closed the window down and went back along the corridor. He could not help wondering at the unexpected outcome of the case. “Indeed, people will be surprised beyond measure when they learn that Evelyn Grimm is alive!” he mused. “It will prove a great sensation.” But the old detective had no idea of remaining idle while Harry was absent. There was work before him. Somewhere in the asylum he knew that a council of villainy was being held. He was desirous of becoming a listener to the same. He proceeded, however, with extreme caution. He made his way carefully to the head of a flight of stairs. Down these he crept to a floor below. Still further below he now heard the murmur of voices. The light in the corridor was dim. But far below he saw a bright gleam which seemed to come from the reception room of the asylum. The place was unusually quiet. Some of the boisterous patients had been drugged to keep them quiet. It was a villainous practice, but yet of common occurrence. Old King Brady had half expected to run across Isaac or some one of the other keepers in the corridors. But good fortune favored him. He did not come across any of them. Down the stairs he glided. The door of the reception room was half open. The old detective peered in. The scene which met his gaze at once interested him. There were the five precious villains. At a table sat the Tough Trio. Beside them were Doctor Scraggs and Napoleon Blood. On the table were a number of papers. “You know, curse ye, that ye agreed to keep the girl until she dies,” said Blood, in an angry tone. “And now you want to back out.” “I never had any luck with women patients,” said Scraggs, persistently, “and I know what I’m talking about. You must pay me good money to keep her here.” “Why more for her than any other patient?” growled Blood. “She gives us more trouble.” “Bah! You’re over nice!” “Not a bit of it. But confound ’em! I never had any luck with women.” “Ye’ve got to keep her! She’ll die before long.” “Humph!” ejaculated Collins, sourly. “Why don’t ye make it a sure thing right off?” “What do ye mean?” “You want the gal out of the way?” “Yes.” “Well, the safest way is the best.” “What?” “Kill her!” Blood shivered. He drew his cloak closer about him. “That’s work for a man younger than I am,” he said. “I’m too old to cover up the job.” “Pshaw! We’ll do it for you!” “All right. What is your price?” “The girl and money!” Blood gave a violent start. He glanced at Collins. “The girl?” he repeated. “Yes, the gal!” “What do you want of her? You will only have her dead body?”