“And,” added Nick, “it would afford an explanation of the contradictions that now bother us.” At this moment Masson came through the door and walked briskly up Forty-second Street, Patsy following. Nick made a signal to Chick, and started after. Thus Masson was followed to Fifth Avenue, when he turned to the south, going down that avenue, to all appearance unconscious that he was followed. At Thirty-seventh Street Nick stopped, Chick halting with him. “I have followed as far as I want,” said Nick. “I wanted to see whether he walked with a hitch or jerk of his shoulders.” “Did you notice it?” asked Chick. “No,” said Nick. “I noticed nothing in the man’s habits of movement that indicated it.” The two now turned to the west, leaving Patsy to continue his shadow of Masson alone. This shadow led to a club some distance down Fifth Avenue, in front of which stood two men, one of whom respectfully saluted Masson as he came up. Masson walked directly to the man, and said, abruptly: “There will be nothing doing, Denton, until to-morrow night. Then I want steam up and everything ready for a three or four weeks’ cruise. I want the launch to be at the old pier as early as eight o’clock, although I may not be there to meet it until ten. “Now, Denton, I want no mistakes. The same men manning the launch that we have had before. I want the crew off the deck when I go aboard. You alone are to have the watch from nine to twelve. “I shall be here at the club until midnight. After that I shall be at home until to-morrow. You can reach me any time to-morrow here at the club if you have need to.” Masson was about to go into the clubhouse, and the two men to whom he was talking had moved off a short distance, when a third man came running up, saying: “There is a mistake, Mr. Masson. The funeral does not take place to-morrow, but the day after.” “Are you sure,” asked Masson. “Sure. I got it from the undertaker in charge.” Masson hurriedly called the two men back, and said to them: “Wait! There may be a change of orders.” Turning to the third man who had come up, he asked: “What are the arrangements?” “The funeral is at eleven, and the burial will be at Greenwood as soon thereafter as it can take place.” “Hum!” exclaimed Masson, thoughtfully. “Day after to-morrow then. That changes all arrangements.” He walked off to the two men who had come back and were patiently waiting for him to speak. To them he said: “The orders I gave you are all off. Come to me to-morrow here for further orders. In the meantime, you can continue preparations for a long cruise. That’s all for the present.” The two men went away, and Masson, taking the other by the arm, led him into the house. Patsy had overheard the whole of this conversation by slipping out into the middle of the street, behind the four persons and climbing into a cab standing empty before the door. When all had disappeared, he crawled out again and crossed to the other side of the street.