at
Mrs. Edwards was entirely ignorant of the movements of her husband or of
the crime which he was suspected of committing. This was continued
without result for three days, but on the afternoon of the fourth, the
chief sought Everman at the hotel and informed him that he had
important news to communicate.

"What is it?" inquired Everman, when they were alone.

"Well," said the chief, "it is just this. Last night, one of my men
informs me, Mrs. Edwards received a letter from her husband, and to-day
she appears to be in great trouble and distress of mind. There can be no
doubt that she has been informed of his crime, and also that she now
knows his present whereabouts."

"She will never tell any one where that is, unless I am very much
mistaken in her," interrupted Everman, "and we must look elsewhere for
the information we desire."

"Just my opinion exactly," replied the chief; "and I have thought of a
way in which we might get what we want."

"Let me hear what it is," said Everman.

"It is just this--Mrs. Black has an intimate friend and confidante, to
whom she tells everything she knows, and there is no doubt that she
will soon, if she has not already done so, inform this lady of the
letter received yesterday. Well, so far, so good. Now, this lady has a
husband to whom she tells all she hears, and so he is apt to be as well
informed in a short time. This man is Tom Nelson by name, a carpenter by
trade, and a jovial, easy, good-natured fellow by nature. This man you
must work up, and if you touch him correctly, you will find out all he
knows."

"Very good," replied Everman confidently; "now point out Tom Nelson to
me and leave me to work the rest."

At this moment an alarm of fire was sounded, and in a few minutes the
street in front of the hotel was alive with people hurrying to the scene
of the conflagration. Men and boys were running at the top of their
speed, and shouting at the top of their voices; women were gazing from
doors and windows, and the merry jingle of the bells of the fire-engines
were soon heard, as the brave fire laddies were rushing to the rescue of
the burning building.

"The very thing!" ejaculated the chief. "I must go to the fire, and do
you come along with me. Tom Nelson is one of the most active firemen of
the city, and I will point him out to you. After that you must work your
own way, for if I was to approach him upon the subject, he would become
suspicious at once."

So saying