“Yes. On top of that cabinet is a book. After the name Thomas Thorne Merriwether you will find 7-7-77. In the cabinet--seventh section, seventh drawer, card Number 77--you will find clinical data, physiological and psychological details, anecdotes, and so on, about you and your father, E. H. Merriwether, and your mother, Josephine Thorne; your grandfathers, Lyman Grant Merriwether and Thomas Conkling Thorne, and of your grandmothers, Malvina Sykes Thorne and Lydia Weston Merriwether. Indeed I know about your great-grandfathers and three of your great-great-grandparents; but the data in their case are of little value save as to Ephraim Merriwether, who in seventeen sixty-three killed in one duel three army officers who laughed at his twisted nose, bitten and disfigured for life by a wolf-cub he had tried to tame. Facts not generally known, but, for all that, facts, young Mr. Thomas Thome Merriwether, which enable me to say that I have known you these hundred and fifty years--if there is anything in heredity, environment, and education! And now, shall I tell you what favor number three is?” “If you please,” said Tom. For the first time he felt that the usual suspicions as to a merrymaking game could not be justified in this particular instance. It was much too elaborate for a practical joke. He did not know how the matter would end; but he did not care. In New York, on Fifth Avenue, on Tuesday afternoon, he was having what, indeed, was an experience! “I beg that you will listen attentively. You will take the Dispeller of Darkness with you. Do not open the gold box under any circumstances. Tonight go to 7 East Seventy-seventh Street so as to be there at eight o'clock sharp. The door will not be locked. Don't ring. Walk in. Go up one flight of stairs to the front room--there is only one. You will stand in the middle of the room, with the talisman resting on the palm of your hand--thus! Do nothing! Say nothing! Wait there! The talisman will be taken from you by a person. Do not try to detain her--this person. After the talisman is taken from you count a hundred--not too fast! At the end of your count leave the room and come back here and tell me whether you have carried out my instructions. Now, young sir, let me say to you that you don't have to do what I am asking you to do. There is no compulsion whatever. There is no crime in contemplation--no attempt is to be made against your life, your fortune, or your morals. I pledge you my word, sir!” The man looked straight into Tom's eyes. Tom bowed gravely. This man must be crazy--and yet he certainly was not. This interested Tom by perplexing him as he had never been perplexed in his eight-and-twenty years. “Mr. Merriwether, this will be the most important step of your life. Its bearing on your happiness is vital--also on the success of your great father's vast plans. I give you my personal word that this is so.” There was a pause. Tom had nothing to say. The man went on: