w, go and buy me a through ticket, and one for yourself to the next
station."

Jet did as he was directed, and, as he entered the depot saw Joe, who,
guarded by the officer sent from New York, was waiting the coming of
the train.

The alleged murderer bestowed a wicked look on the boy who had captured
him, and then turned his head away.

"If he ever gets the chance I shall have a hot time of it," Jet
thought, as he transacted his business with the ticket-seller and then
returned to Harvey.

The latter was just being brought down stairs, for the time of
departure was near at hand, and Jet followed him to the station, where
the detective was warmly greeted by Joe's guard.

Here Jet felt proud by being introduced as the one who had made the
arrest and afterward brought his prisoner safely through the woods
where the remainder of the gang were lurking, and District Messenger
No. 48 felt amply rewarded by the words of praise for all he had
suffered.

The cars arrived. Jet followed his companions on board, and, twenty
minutes later, alighted at a small village where it would be necessary
he should wait half an hour before a western bound train came along.

"It's a tough job I've undertaken," he said to himself, when the long
line of coaches had pulled out, leaving him alone, "and somehow or
other I feel pretty certain I'm going to come to grief before this
thing is ended."

CHAPTER XVII

AN OLD FRIEND

To Jet the idea of loitering around first one town and then another
with no definite plan, unless the simple hope of meeting the man by
accident could be called one, was in the highest degree unsatisfactory.

He had embarked on the enterprise, however, and it was now too late for
regrets.

In due time the train arrived, and, stepping on board, he was surprised
at hearing a familiar voice ask:

"Hello Jet! Have you concluded to join us again?"

It was his old friend the manager of the minstrel company, who appeared
to take it for granted Jet had boarded this particular train for no
other purpose than that of going into the show business again.

"Where are you playing?" the boy asked without answering the question.

"Nowhere to-night, or I shouldn't be here. We've been having mighty
hard luck, and had to lay off to reorganize---- At least that's the
best way of putting it. The company is about twenty miles down the
road, and we shall play that town to-morrow."

While the manager was speaking, Jet