“It’s out of the question,” Granniss said, as the clock struck twelve. “It’s still raining, it’s pitch dark, nobody could see a parcel dropped over the cliffs, and you might lose your own life in the process. But, let this comfort you, if these people are really the kidnappers, they will give you another chance. They won’t lose their chance of a fortune for a rainstorm, and they’ll communicate with you again.” “That’s probably true, Rod,” and Minna gave a sigh of relief as she gazed out of the window at the rain. “And so, let’s go to rest and try to hope for a future opportunity.” Mrs Fletcher was waiting to put her patient to bed, and was much displeased at her late hour of retiring. So, little was said by either of the women, and at last with a curt good night, the nurse went away to her own room, and Minna closed the door between. But she could not sleep, she was restless and nervous. At last she began to worry over the safety of the money in the safe. She imagined the thwarted kidnappers, disappointed at the collapse of their plans, coming up to the house to rob her of the money they had reason to suppose she had in her possession. To her anxious and worried mind, it seemed the money would be safer up in her own room than down in the library safe. On a sudden impulse she determined to go down stairs and get it. She donned dressing gown and slippers and stealthily, not to awake Fletcher, she crept down the stairs. Into the library she went and, opening the closet door, began to work the combination that unlocked the safe. Absorbed in her occupation, she did not hear a slight noise behind her. But suddenly a voice said; softly, “Oh, it’s you, ma’am! I thought it was a robber!” Minna turned quickly to see Martha, the waitress, staring at her. As she already had the safe door open and was about to take out the parcel she was after, she was annoyed at any interruption. “Martha!” she exclaimed, though in a low whisper, “what are you doing here? Go back to bed!” “Yes, ma’am. I thought I heard robbers, ma’am.” “No; it’s only I. I have to see about some important papers, and I can’t sleep, so I’m attending to it now. Go back to your room at once, Martha.” “Yes, ma’am,” and the girl obeyed. Drawing a sigh of relief, Minna took her precious parcel, shut the safe, and went softly back to her own room. She put the package beneath her mattress, locked her bedroom door, and soon fell asleep, worn out with weariness and exhaustion. “Great doin’s,” grumbled the cook, as Martha, who shared her room, returned to it, “where you been?” “Hush up,” said Martha. “I heard a noise and I thought it was burglars.” “And you went downstairs!” exclaimed Hannah. “Why, what foolishness! They might ’a’ shot you!” “There wasn’t any,” Martha explained. “It was Mrs Varian, poking about in her safe.”