r forget for the moment her great
sorrow. She even smiled when telling Bennie how very rich they were, but
when the boy looked up, with tears swimming in his big, blue eyes, and
said, through the sobs that almost choked him: "But I'd ruther have papa
back again," it pierced her heart and made the old wound bleed anew.

Patsy Daly and his friend, the Philosopher, were at that moment
approaching the Cowels's house where they lodged--they were room-mates
now. They had seen the two men leaving the house, and having caught
sight of the lonely woman and her child, stood looking beneath the
window shade upon the pathetic scene. When they saw the official
envelope, with the big, red seal, they readily guessed the errand of the
men, for they knew the rules and ways of the Brotherhood, and that the
dead engineer's family was entitled to the insurance upon his life.
They saw the little mother smiling upon her boy, saw him turn a tearful
face up to hers, and the change that came, and the look of anguish upon
the unhappy woman's face touched them deeply. "O God!" said the
Philosopher, laying a hand upon the shoulder of his friend, "if it be
true that we, who are so wicked, must suffer for our sins, it is
pleasant to feel that these martyrs--the millions of mothers whose
hearts are torn in this world--will have a pleasant place in the world
to come."

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH

Mr. Watchem, chief of the famous Watchem detective agency, was pacing
his private office. He was a heavy man with heavy features and a heavy,
dark mustache, at which he tugged vigorously as he walked. In his left
hand he carried a dozen or more sheets of closely written note paper.
Presently the door opened, and a small man, slightly stooped, entered
and removed his hat.

"Is this your report, sir?" asked the chief.

The man said it was.

"And can you substantiate these charges? Mind you, if an innocent man
suffers I shall hold you accountable, do you understand?"

"I understand, and I am willing to swear to that statement."

"Have the men been arrested?"

"They have, and are now on their way to Chicago."

"They will probably be arraigned to-morrow morning," observed the great
detective.

"See that your witnesses are on hand--you may go now."

When the small man had stolen softly out, down the stair and into the
street, the chief detective descended, entered a closed carriage and was
driven to his home.

It was now past midnight, and all over