near Jet's nose. "I reckon you're made fast
here; but if by chance you should find anybody fool enough to untie
you, and undertake to run away, it will be a case of shooting you on
sight. You've been too fresh altogether, and both Joe and Bob are to
blame for not having taken the wind out of your body long ago."

Jet made no reply, for the very good reason that it was impossible for
him to speak, and the men walked hurriedly away in the direction of the
house.

That he had suffered himself to be thus fooled caused the boy more
distress of mind than did the fact of his being powerless at the very
time when he was most needed.

The real officers would soon arrive from Albany; but if no one met them
at the depot they could do nothing, since they had no idea of the
location of the house.

His whole night's work had resulted only in bringing aid to the enemy,
and what made the situation worse was the fact that he had explained
how the villains could gain access to the house without a struggle.

"If Mr. Harvey knew what I had done he'd give over trying to help me
along, in case we ever do get out of this scrape," he said to himself.
"I ain't fit even to carry a message, let alone trying to help a
regular detective."

Then came the thought that Mr. Harvey might no longer be alive, and
this caused Jet such mental distress that several moments passed before
he was sufficiently composed to make any attempt at effecting his own
rescue.

He began by stiffening his muscles and throwing his body forward, with
the idea of stretching the suspenders to such an extent that he could
crawl out of them; but was suddenly stopped by hearing sounds as of
some one coming through the underbrush.

The only thought in his mind was that one of the enemy was coming to
kill him, and he redoubled his efforts until a familiar voice whispered:

"Jet, Jet! Is it you?"

He could not reply in words; but he managed to give vent to a faint
moan, at the same time moving his feet over the dead leaves to make a
yet louder noise.

"It's me, Harvey," the voice continued. "I heard a couple of men
talking about having left some one tied up, and thought it must be you."

While he spoke the detective continued to advance, drawing himself
along the ground by the hands, as if his lower limbs were useless, and
on reaching Jet raised his body with an effort until he could feel the
bonds which held the boy.

It was but the work of an instant to remov