of great interest in the calendar
that hung on the opposite wall, while Kenneth talked earnestly with the
warden. And the prisoners beyond the barred door were too busy with
their exercise to look around.

"Jimmie boy!"

"Amy! You--you don't--"

"Of course I don't! Didn't I tell you so in my letter?"

"Yes, but--"

"Now, that isn't the way to talk, especially when I have come to bring
you good news."

"Good news? You mean your father--"

"Oh, it isn't about dad! I told you he was as firm a believer in you
as I am--that he said he'd 'go the limit,' if you know what that means,
to get you free. Jimmie boy, when dad likes a person he likes him!"

"I hope his daughter does the same."

"Don't you know--_Jimmie_ boy?"

The warden, the detective, the keeper and the lawyer--all now seemed
interested in that prosaic calendar.

Amy had had but little chance to speak to Darcy since, his arrest. In
police headquarters he was kept in seclusion except as to his lawyer,
and events had followed one another so rapidly that there had been no
other opportunity until now, though the girl had sent him a hasty note
in which she said she knew he was innocent and that everything possible
was being done for him.

"And now, Jimmie, for the good news. I have engaged the best detective
in this country for you," and she beckoned to the lawyer to come
forward.

"The best detective?"

"Yes. You need one as well as a lawyer. They're going to work
together--aren't you, Mr. Kenneth?"

"Indeed a detective can help us best at this stage of the game, I
think, Mr. Darcy," was the lawyer's answer. "I can look after the
court proceedings, when it comes time for them, but what we want most
is evidence tending to show that some one else, and not you, committed
this crime."

"As, most assuredly was the case!" and for the first time in days
Darcy's voice had its old ring and vigor in it.

"Of course, Jimmie boy," murmured Amy. "Now let me tell you all about
it. They say I can't stay very long, so I'll have to talk fast, and
you must listen--mostly. Now what do you say to--Colonel Ashley?" and
Amy looked triumphantly at her lover.

"Colonel Ashley?"

"Yes. As the detective who is going to help prove you innocent by
discovering the real--ugh! I hate to say it--_murderer_?"

"Why, Colonel Ashley is one of the greatest detectives in the United
States--at least, he used to be. He must be pretty old now."

"I know he is--bu