ady."

"Thank you," replied Manning, "I have already had my breakfast. I am
looking for a man who is stopping here, by the name of King."

"What's his first name--Bob?"

"Yes, that's his name. He is a brakeman on the road."

"Oh, yes, Bob's here. He's eating his breakfast now. Just sit down,
he'll be here directly."

After waiting a few minutes, a tall, broad-shouldered young man, of
rather good-natured and intelligent appearance, entered the room, and
taking a cap from one of the hooks upon the wall, placed it upon his
head.

It did not require the rather officious indication of the young clerk to
induce the detective to recognize the new-comer as the man whom he was
most desirous of seeing; his appearance tallied precisely with the
description of him which he had previously obtained.

Stepping quietly up to the young man, the detective said, carelessly:

"Your name is Bob King, I believe?"

Somewhat confused by the abrupt salutation, the young fellow replied,
rather awkwardly:

"Yes, that's my name; but you've got the brakes on me, for I don't
remember that I ever saw you before."

"Perhaps not," answered Manning, "but I want to have a little private
conversation with you for a few minutes. Can we go somewhere where we
will not be interrupted?"

"Why, yes," responded the other, still evidently ill at ease, "come in
here." And turning about, he led the way through a door across the hall,
and entered a small and plainly furnished sitting-room.

"Wait," said Manning, as if suddenly conceiving an idea. "The morning is
pleasant, and I have a good cigar here; suppose we take a short walk
together. We can talk as we stroll along."

"All right," said King, as he took the proffered cigar, and lighting it,
they went out of the hotel into the street.

Mr. Robert King eyed the detective furtively ever and anon, and seemed
to be impatient for him to begin the conversation, and inform him what
it was all about. There was, however, such a perfect air of ease and
unconcern about Manning, that the young brakeman felt impelled to
accompany him whether he would or not. Manning led the way in the
direction of the office of the chief of police, and after they had
fairly started, he turned to his companion, and good-naturedly said:

"Mr. King, I suppose you are quite anxious to know who I am, and what is
the nature of my business with you?"

"Well, yes," answered King, smilingly, for the _sang froid_ of Manning
had qu