"Please don't let me disturb you," exclaimed the Secretary, as Douglas stepped forward, and Brett edged toward the door. "I only dropped in for a second to pick up Mr. Hunter," laying a hand on Douglas' arm. "They told me at the Albany that you were stopping here for a few days, so I came over in my motor to ask you to drive back to my office with me, although it is Sunday." "Won't you be seated, Mr. Secretary?" asked Colonel Thornton, as Douglas hastily gathered up some papers which he had left on the center table, and started for the door. "Thanks, no; it is imperative that I get to my office----" The Secretary stopped speaking as a man darted inside the door and slammed it shut. In his haste the newcomer collided with Douglas and then collapsed into the nearest chair. "Philip Winthrop!" gasped Eleanor, while the others gazed at the exhausted figure in amazement. "Have you any brandy?" exclaimed the Secretary, noticing the ghastly color of Winthrop's face. Thornton hastily produced a decanter and gave the half-fainting man a stiff drink, which in a few minutes had the desired effect of bringing him round. "Thanks," he murmured faintly. "What does the doctor mean by letting you come out?" asked Thornton. "You are in no condition to leave your room." "I'll be better in a minute; give me some more," Winthrop motioned toward the decanter. Colonel Thornton glanced questioningly at the Secretary, who nodded assent, so he gave Winthrop a milder dose, which restored him somewhat, and his voice was stronger when he resumed speech. "The doctor doesn't know I'm here. I slipped out while Mother was lying down, caught a cab at the corner, and drove over here. I want to see the detective, Brett." "Here I am, sir." Brett stepped forward into the circle about Winthrop. "Good!" Winthrop raised himself just in time to see Eleanor open the hall door softly. "Come back!" he shouted; then, as she paid no attention to him, cried, "Stop her! stop her; don't let her slip away!" "What is the meaning of this?" demanded Colonel Thornton, as he stepped forward and pulled Eleanor back into the room and shut the door. "You drunken loafer! stop bellowing at my niece." "I won't, I won't!" Winthrop had worked himself into a frenzy. "She can't drug me here, fortunately--I won't be silent--_she is an international spy, and she murdered Senator Carew!_" CHAPTER XX WEAVING THE WEB Slowly the meaning of Winthrop's words dawned on the four men. "It's false! false as hell!" thundered Douglas. He stepped forward and seized Winthrop in a grip of iron and shook him as a dog would shake a rat; then, before the others could intervene, threw the struggling man on the floor. "Bah! you're not worth killing." Whimpering with rage and weakness, Winthrop caught hold of the table and dragged himself upright, and stood swaying on his feet.