Desmond had met Legira not far from the home of John Hendrix. The man from Santander had been in a
great hurry to get to the Baltham Trust Company. He had also shown great anxiety to be away from
New York, secluded on Long Island, waiting there for a sure way to leave the country unobserved.
Why had Legira placed a substitute in his own position?
Desmond had helped him to get Perry Wallace for the job. Legira had given no reason for the
substitution. Smiling, Desmond pictured the entire chain of events as he imagined they should be fitted
together.
Alvarez Legira feared certain enemies. Of that, Desmond was sure. But Desmond also saw a shrewd,
clever scheme on the part of the South American. With Perry Wallace planted at his residence, Legira
had been free to visit the home of John Hendrix—to slay—and to thus assure the success of a shady
swindle which had enabled him to obtain a large fund of money at the Baltham Trust Company.
Frank Desmond continued to smile. He saw Legira as a hunted criminal—a man about to get away
unscathed, leaving others to bear the brunt.
So Wallace and Lopez were to flee? Of course! That was an effective part of Legira's plan, as Desmond
saw it. Sleuths would trail the false Legira. The real man would be far away before the imposture was
detected.
Desmond laughed harshly.
Well, Legira had made one mistake. He had thought Frank Desmond a fool who would obey orders
blindly for a few thousand dollars! Since that was the game, Legira would learn differently.
Nine o'clock to-night—then Legira would be on his way. Nine hours to go —and in that time, Desmond,
blind and obedient, would be responsible for Legira's successful escape.
Two could play at a game like this, thought Desmond. At last he understood what was behind Legira's
complicated plotting. Desmond's mental process became involved; but through it all, one picture
dominated. That was the recollection of the money which Legira now had in his possession.
It must be great wealth to justify the desperate game. Of that wealth, Desmond desired a generous
portion. How was he to get it?
Demand more money from Legira?
That could be done; yet it would probably meet with refusal. Desmond could make threats. They would
amount to naught.
To declare that he would tip off the police to Legira's whereabouts was the only threat that Desmond
could make. Legira would laugh at such a statement. Police intervention would kill Desmond's chance for
a share of the money.
While he hesitated and pondered, Desmond decided that the first step was to ignore Perry Wallace and
Lopez. Something might be gained by leaving them where they were. As matters now stood, they would
remain at Legira's residence until told what to do.
Desmond had satisfied himself with a reason why Legira wanted the pair to leave. They were to divert
suspicion while Legira took to flight. Yet why— this came to Desmond on second thought— should
Legira want them to leave so promptly?
Midnight, to-morrow—that time would come soon enough. In considering this question, Desmond came
to the prompt conclusion that Legira's apprehension of hidden enemies was well-founded.
YES, that was it. Legira did not fear the law alone. Others were already on his trail. Who were they?
South Americans, without a doubt.
Desmond picked up the newspaper and again read the vital paragraphs. The name of Rodriguez
