used them in December. So that left him
out of the score, or at least so it seemed. It was still possible that
he was implicated in the ruby robbery, though save that he was present
there seemed nothing against him. Mr. Barnes did not entirely leave him
out of the account.

Thus practically the detective made no progress, and was chagrined to be
compelled to admit it. Finally, however, an idea occurred to him, upon
which the more he dwelt, the more fascinated he became with it. To put
it into practice, however, he felt that he must await the return of Mr.
Mitchel. He thought he would injure his cause by seeking him and so
disturbing him during his pleasure trip.

The Mitchels did not keep their promise to go to the White Mountains,
but on the contrary prolonged their western travel, so that it was
November before they were at home again, and temporarily quartered at
the Fifth Avenue. A few days after, Mr. Barnes sent up his card, and as
usual, was cordially received.

"Any news of my wife's ruby?" asked Mr. Mitchel, grasping the detective
warmly by the hand.

"No, Mr. Mitchel. I am sorry to say that I am utterly unable to prove
any of my theories about that. But I have come to a set determination,
and one that to you may seem a peculiar one. I have come to ask your
assistance in the murder case."

"Why, certainly, I will help you. Did I not tell you so at the very
outset? Have I not always been willing to talk freely to you?"

"You have, but as long as I thought that you yourself might have
committed the crime, how could I come to you to ask you to assist me?"

"Then I am to understand that at present you do not suspect me?"

"I have come to that conclusion at last, and wish now that I had done so
sooner."

"Would you mind telling me why you have altered your mind? You have told
me so much that seemed to implicate me, that I am curious to hear the
other side."

"Certainly. I overheard your wager. Then came the robbery, and then the
murder. Later there was a second jewel robbery; all of these crimes
occurred within the limit which you set. One of them of course you
committed. It seems more probable that you stole the single ruby, for in
doing that you committed a crime for which you could not be punished,
especially since you have married the lady. Even before, she would
willingly have testified that it was understood between you, and that it
was simply a trick to win a wager. Is not that correct logic?"

"