“Was the conference over?” asked Bates, after a moment’s pause.

“All but the hand-shakes,” said the other.  “I didn’t dare to stay while they were moving about.”

And Bates started suddenly to his feet.  “Come!” he said.  “We haven’t any time to waste.  Our work isn’t done yet, by a long sight.”

He proceeded to untie the rope and coil it up.  Rodney took the blanket and put it on the bed, covering it with the spread, so as to conceal the holes which had been worn by the rope.  He wound up the ball of cord, and dropped it into the bag with the rest of the stuff.  Bates took his hat and coat and started for the door.

“You will excuse us, Mr. Montague,” he said.  “You can understand that this story will need a lot of work.”

“I understand,” said Montague.

“We’ll try to thank you by and by,” added the other.  “Come around after the paper goes to press, and we’ll have a celebration.”

CHAPTER XX

They went out; and Montague waited a minute or two, to give them a chance to get out of the way, and then he rang the elevator bell and entered the car.

It stopped again at the next floor, and he gave a start of excitement.  As the door opened, he saw a group of men, with Duval, Ward, and General Prentice among them.  He moved behind the elevator man, so that none of them should notice him.

Montague had caught one glimpse of the face of General Prentice.  It was deathly pale.  The General said not a word to anyone, but went out into the corridor.  The other hesitated for a moment, then, with a sudden resolution, he turned and followed.  As his friend passed out of the door, he stepped up beside him.

“Good evening, General,” he said.  The General turned and stared at him, half in a daze.

“Oh, Montague!” he said.  “How are you?”

“Very well,” said Montague.

In the street outside, among a group of half a dozen automobiles, he recognised the General’s limousine car.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Home,” was the reply.

“I’ll ride with you, if you like,” said Montague.  “I’ve something to say to you.”

“All right,” said the General.  He could not very well have refused, for Montague had taken him by the arm and started toward the car; he did not intend to be put off.

He helped the General in, got in himself, and shut to the door behind him.  Prentice sat staring in front of him, still half in a daze.

Montague watched him for a minute or so.  Then suddenly he leaned toward him, and said, “General, why do you let them persuade you to do it?”

“Hey?” said the other.

“I say,” repeated Montague, “why do you let them persuade you?”

The other turned and stared at him, with a startled look in his eyes.

“I know all about what has happened,” said Montague.  “I know what went on at that conference.”