“Nora and I went for a walk in the garden, and suddenly two men jumped out on us from behind the pagoda. They had almost grabbed us when one man shouted to the other fellow, ‘We’re wrong,’ and Nora screamed and ran like the very devil, and I had to run after her of course.” “It was dreadful,” said Nora gasping. “What’s dreadful?” Alice Harrington demanded, coming on the scene followed by her husband. They had been disturbed by Nora’s screams. “Won’t someone please explain?” Michael asked anxiously. “It was frightful,” Nora cried. “Let me tell it,” Monty protested. “You’ll get it all wrong,” his companion asserted. “I wasn’t half as scared as you.” “I was talking to Nora,” Monty explained, “and suddenly from the shrubbery--” “Somebody stepped right out,” Nora added. “One at a time,” Michael admonished them, “one at a time, please.” “Why, you see, Monty and I went for a walk in the garden,” Nora began-- “And two men jumped out and started for us,” Monty broke in. “Great Scott,” Michael cried, indignant that the privacy of his own estate should be invaded, “and here, too!” “What did you do?” Alice asked eagerly. “I just screamed and they ran away,” Nora told her a little proudly. “Wasn’t it exciting?” she added, drawing a deep breath. “Just like a book!” “Michael,” his wife said, shocked, “they might have been killed.” “What they need is a drink,” he said impressively; “I’ll ring for some brandy.” “I’d be all right,” Monty stated emphatically, “if I could get one long breath.” “You do look a bit shaken, old man,” Denby said sympathetically. “What you need is a comforting smoke. You left a pipe on the table in my room. Take my tobacco and light up.” Monty looked at the pigskin pouch as his friend handed it to him. “Gee!” he said, regarding it as one might a poisonous reptile, “I don’t want that.” “That’s all right,” Denby said. “I can spare it. And when you’re through with it, drop it in the drawer of the writing-table, will you? I always like to make myself one for coffee in the morning. I’ve smoked enough to-night.” By this time Monty understood what was required of him. He took the pouch respectfully and crossed toward the stairs. “I’ll leave it in the drawer,” he called out as he ascended the stairs. Michael had been looking through the glass doors with a pair of binoculars. “I see nothing,” he declared. “But suppose they come back later, and break in here at night?” Alice cried. “I shall organize the household servants and place Lambart at their head,” he said gravely. “He is an excellent shot. Then there are three able-bodied men here, so that we are prepared.” “I’m sure you needn’t take any such elaborate precautions,” Denby told him. “No men, after once warning us, would break in here with so many servants. I imagine they were a couple of tramps who were attracted by Miss Rutledge’s rings and thought they could make a quick getaway.”