then I
reckon people will find out whether I 'mount to anything as a detective,
or not."

"Are you sure he's over in Philadelphy?" one of the boys asked of Sam.

"Course I am."

"How did you find it out?"

"It wouldn't be any use for me to try to tell, 'cause you couldn't
understand it; but that's where the detective business comes in. I've
figgered it all out, an' in less than half an hour from the time the
train strikes the town I'll have him 'rested."

Some of those who were in the secret smiled; but Bill Dean and his
friends refrained from any display of mirth, lest Sam, grown suspicious
of his own wisdom, should at the last moment refuse to leave the city.

The would-be detective had desired to purchase his own ticket, but to
this proposition those who had the matter in charge would not consent,
and Bill Dean, in response to the suggestion made by several of the
party, proceeded, as he expressed it, to "ship off Sam."

That he had spoken the truth when he told of having had a conversation
with the railroad officials regarding Master Barney's departure, was
proven when he approached the ticket-office, for the clerk recognized
him at once, and when the money was placed on the ledge in front of him,
immediately passed out that form of a ticket which would give to Jip's
pursuer a passage to Philadelphia.

Master Barney's companions were eager to see him on board the cars; but
after learning that such pleasure must be purchased by paying for a
passage across to Jersey City and back, the majority of them decided the
price was altogether too high.

"It'll cost pretty nigh a dollar for this whole gang to go over," Dan
Roberts said after making a hurried calculation, "an' Sam ain't worth
it. I'd like to see how he swings hisself in the cars; but don't count
on puttin' out my good money for it."

There were very many of Dan's opinion in the party, and after some
discussion it was decided that Bill Dean and Seth Bartlett should
accompany the detective during this first stage of the journey, and
these two were instructed to "remember all Sam said, an' how he looked,
so's to tell it to the rest of the crowd when they got back."

The would-be detective gravely shook hands with his followers, and,
after cautioning those who were to accompany him to remain at a
respectable distance lest they interfere with his plans, stole on board
the ferry-boat in a manner well calculated to attract the attention and
excite the mir