"They’re going to put Slade through the same initiation they gave Majendie," said Gunther, at a look from Beecher. "There’s a meeting of the big fellows at the governor’s tonight—a sort of sheep-shearing—though Slade’s not much of a lamb." "And his wool grows close to the hide," said McKenna, with one of his rare laughs. "However, I can tell you this much: whatever happens I don’t believe there’ll be any exit by the bullet route—not if I know John G. Slade. Now, sir, I’ve got to disappear for a while on my own troubles." "Where can I get you?" asked Beecher. "You can’t get me," said McKenna, with one of his sudden contractions of the eyelids. "That’s the whole point—not till I get you. I’m off, and you don’t know where," he added, offering his hand. "Maybe two days; maybe a week." "I don’t understand," said Beecher, with a puzzled expression. "I do," said Gunther, pulling his sleeve. "Now, there are two little points may interest you gentlemen as expert deducers," said McKenna, with his hat on his head. "One is, I’ve found out who those detectives were that night—they’re crooks. Second—and don’t forget this—I share Mrs. Kildair’s opinion that the ring is going to be returned." "Then you know who took it!" exclaimed Beecher, while Gunther looked up suddenly. "I don’t know a single thing," said McKenna, "but I’m getting to the suspicious stage. So long." The telephone had stopped. Beecher, left open-mouthed by the exit of McKenna, turned to Gunther, who had resumed his easy lounge. "What the deuce is going on, Bruce? What’s all this mystery?" "Look over your mail," said Gunther irrelevantly. Beecher obeyed the suggestion. At the end of a moment he exclaimed: "Hello! Why, here’s a note from Mrs. Kildair—sent by messenger, evidently." "Read it." Beecher glanced at it hurriedly. DEAR TEDDY: Have been trying all day to get hold of McKenna, but they tell me at his office he’s out of town. I want to see him very much. If you know where he is, please have him call me up. Shall see you at Mrs. Fontaine’s tonight. RITA. P.S. Please find McKenna if you possibly can. "By Jove—McKenna!" he exclaimed, and hastened toward the door, only to be stopped by Gunther. "Ted, you blockhead, what are you doing?" "Going after McKenna." "Just what he doesn’t want." Beecher stopped short, suddenly comprehending. "That’s it, is it?" he said, returning. "He wants to keep clear of Mrs. Kildair’s, then?" "You see," said Gunther, "it is not often that McKenna gets double-crossed. When he does, he doesn’t particularly relish it. Mrs. Kildair may be perfectly right in bottling up the whole affair; but, after what happened yesterday, Mac isn’t going to stop until he gets to the bottom." "But why disappear?"