lonel, yo' done tole me t'--"

"No matter what I told you, Shag, these are new orders. Pack up!" came
the crisp command. "We're going back to town. I'll do what I can in this
case," he went on to Bartlett. "I came here for some quiet fishing, and
to get my mind off detective work. I was dragged into a diamond cross
mystery not long since, sorely against my will, and now--"

"I am sorry--" began Bartlett.

"Oh, well, it can't be helped," the colonel said. "I'd give up more than
a fishing trip for a daughter of Horace Carwell. You may let her know
that I'll come, if it will give her any comfort. Though, mind you," the
colonel's manner was impressive, "I promise nothing."

"That is understood," said Bartlett eagerly. "I'll wire her that you
are coming. There's a train that leaves right after supper. We can get
that--"

"I'll take it!" decided the colonel. Now that he had given up his
cherished fishing he was all business again. "Shag!"

"Yes, sah, Colonel!"

"Pack up for the evening train. Give that fish to the cook and have it
served for Mr. Bartlett and myself. You'll dine with me," he went on. It
was an order, not an invitation, but Bartlett understood, and accepted
with a bow.

A few hours later he and the colonel left the little town where the
detective had gone for such a short vacation, and were on their way to
Lakeside, which they reached early in the morning.

"Now if you'll tell me the best hotel to stop at here," said the
colonel, as they alighted from the train, "I'll put up there and see
Miss Carwell."

"She requested me to bring you at once to her home," said Bartlett. "You
are to be her guest. She thought perhaps you would want to examine the--
to see Mr. Carwell's body--before--"

"Oh, yes. I suppose I had better. Then the funeral has not been held?"

"No, it was postponed at the request of the county physician."

"Has there been a coroner's inquest?"

"No. None was deemed necessary at the time I left, at the solicitation
of Miss Carwell, to get you."

"I see. Inquests are less often held in New Jersey than in some of the
other states. Well, then I suppose I may as well go to the Carwell home
with you."

"Yes. I wired for my car to meet us. It's here I see. Right over here."

Bartlett led the way, the colonel following, and Shag bringing up the
rear with the bags.

As the machine started from the station Bartlett looked up to the
morning sky. There was a little speck in it, no larger