discovery,
except that it is a most important one. I might hide you away in New
York where the police would never find you, but you would enjoy the
trip to Mexico, and I want you with me."

"Mexico!" cried Jimmie. "I'll go with you, Mr. Nestor. A houseboat on
the Rio Grande. Well!"

"Have you money enough for the trip?" asked Nestor of Fremont, not
replying to the generous offer of the boy.

"I have about $300 which Mr. Cameron gave me yesterday for my Spring
outfit," was the reply. "He was very generous with me."

"That will pay the bills until I can get some money," Nestor said, "so
we may as well consider the matter settled. This business I am going
to Mexico on will pay me well, and I will share the expense of the trip
with you."

"Not if you go to protect me," Fremont replied.

"Not entirely to protect you," Nestor answered, "although I believe
that the solution to this mystery will be found on the other side of,
the Rio Grande."

"It seems strange that the Rio Grande should mix in every situation
which confronts me to-night," Fremont said. "What can the affairs of
turbulent Mexico have to do with the cowardly crime which has been
committed here to-night?"

CHAPTER IV.

THE WOLF TALKS IN CODE.

"I can't tell you much about it at this time," replied Nestor. "I can
only say that you ought to get out of the country immediately, and that
Mexico is as good a place to go to as any other. I may be able to tell
you something more after we are on our way."

"Me, too!" cried Jimmie. "Me for Mexico. You can't lose me."

"I'm sorry to say that you'll have to remain here," said Nestor, noting
with regret the keen disappointment in the boy's face. "After we leave
the building you must call a surgeon and see that Mr. Cameron is cared
for. The surgeon will call the police if he thinks it advisable."

"The cops will geezle me," wailed Jimmie.

"I think not," was the reply; "not if you tell them the truth. Make it
as easy for Fremont as you can by saying that he had been here only a
minute when you came in, and that he had just entered the building.
You may say, too, that we have gone out to look up a clue we found
here, in the hope of discovering the assassin. Tell the truth, and
they can't tangle you up."

"They can lock me up," said the boy. "I'll call a surgeon an' duck.
You see if I don't. It is Mexico for mine."

"I suppose you have the price?" laughed Nestor.

"I haven't got carfare t