"So young Swain is over in those grounds now," he said thoughtfully,
when I had finished.

"Yes; he's been there three-quarters of an hour."

"Why do you suppose Miss Vaughan named so late an hour?"

"I don't know. Perhaps because she was afraid of being discovered
earlier than that--or perhaps merely because she's just a romantic
girl."

Godfrey sat with his head bent in thought for a moment.

"I have it!" he said. "At eleven-thirty every night her father and the
adept go up to the roof, to remain there till midnight. That is the
one time of the whole day when she is absolutely sure to be alone.
Come along, Lester!"

He was on his feet now, and his voice was quivering with excitement.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Up the ladder. It's nearly twelve. If the star falls as usual, we'll
know that everything is all right. If it doesn't ..."

He did not finish, but hurried away among the trees. In a moment we
were at the ladder; in another moment we were high among the leaves,
straining our eyes through the darkness.

"I'm going to look at my watch," said Godfrey, in a low voice. "Lean