es?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"I think you do. You asked me a moment ago how I knew your name. As I
said, I did not know it, though I suspected it. Shall I tell you why?"

"Certainly, if you wish."

"Perhaps I am a fool to show you your first blunder in this game, since
you are evidently enlisted against me; but as I sent my friend off
alone, purposely for the chance of doing so, I cannot resist the
temptation."

"Stop a moment, Mr. Mitchel. I am not such a fool as you take me to be.
I know what you are going to say."

"Ah, indeed! that is clever."

"You are about to tell me that I made an ass of myself when I spoke in
the coach upon your refusing to be searched."

"Well, I should not have put it quite so harshly, but the fact is this:
When you deliberately followed Randolph into the toilet-room, I became
suspicious, being, as I was, at your heels. When the conductor spoke to
me, I refused purposely, to watch the effect upon you, with the result,
as you now see, that I had my suspicion confirmed. I knew that you were
a detective, and, that point gained, there was no further reason for
refusing the conductor."

"As I said, I acted like an ass. But I did not need this warning. It
will not occur again, I assure you."

"Of course I see now that you overheard our conversation last night, and
such being the case you naturally suspected me of this robbery. But I am
wondering, if you did overhear our talk, why you did not watch me all
night." To this Mr. Barnes made no reply. "I have one favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"That you reveal to no one the fact that I have undertaken to commit a
crime. You of course are at liberty to play the ferret, and convict
me--if you can."

"As surely as you commit a crime, so surely will I convict you of it,"
replied Mr. Barnes. "It will be perhaps to my interest to keep what I
know to myself, but it will not do to make any promises to you. I must
be free to act as circumstances direct."

"Very good. I will tell you where I am stopping, and I give you
permission to call to see me whenever you please, day or night. I have a
suite of rooms at the Fifth Avenue. Now let me ask you one question. Do
you think that I committed this robbery?"

"I will answer you with a question. Did you commit this robbery?"

"Capital. I see I have a foeman worthy of my steel. Well--we will leave
both questions unanswered, for the present."

CHAPTER III.

MR. BARNES DISCOVERS AN ARTI