The car could go only to the lodge gate, and from there Rodney trudged up the steep path to the house, half afraid that some bandit would even yet appear to rob him of the treasure. But nothing untoward happened, and he reached Headland House in safety. It was nearly noon when he arrived, and Lawrence North, still there, was as eager as Minna to hear the results of Granniss’ errands in New York. But not until after luncheon, when the three were alone in the library, did he tell the whole story. He then gave a frank account of the detective’s asking to take charge of the package of money, and of the lucky stroke it was that he did so. “But I never imagined,” Rodney said, “that he would send it along by a messenger on the same train!” “Clever work!” said North. “Now, Mrs Varian, have you a really good safe?” “Yes, I have. My husband had it sent up here with our trunks. It looks like a wardrobe trunk, but it is a modern and secure safe.” The safe was in a closet in the library, and as the men examined it, they agreed that it was a good safe and proof against even a most skilful burglar. “Unless he carries it off,” suggested North. “It’s not very large.” “But it’s very heavy,” Minna said, “and besides, it’s clamped to the floor.” They put the parcel of money in the safe, tucked it well back behind less important matters, and Minna herself closed the door. “I’ll use the same combination Fred used,” she said, “nobody on earth knows it but myself.” “Keep it to yourself, Mrs Varian,” North counseled her, “a secret shared is no secret.” “I’m not afraid to trust you two,” Minna returned, “but I won’t tell any one else.” “You’ve had no further communication from the kidnappers?” asked Granniss. “I have,” she said, “a letter came in this morning’s mail. I don’t know what to do about it. It’s so strange,—and yet,—I feel a positive conviction that I ought to do as they tell me.” “Whatever they ask, I beg of you not to decide until Mr Wise gets here,” Rodney said, earnestly. “Since I have seen him, I know he will help us, and I feel sure that he would disapprove of your going ahead with this until he can advise you.” “What do they ask you to do?” North inquired; “that is, if you care to tell us.” “Oh, I’m glad to tell you, and see what you think. I know it might be a better plan to wait for Mr Wise’s arrival, but that may scare off these people and lose me my one and only chance to meet their demands,—and—get my Betty!” “Where’s the letter?” asked Granniss, looking very serious. Minna handed him a paper, and the two men read it at the same time.