table.

"That looks as if you were an honest man," said he with a sneer.
"Honest men don't go around in this fashion. You're the man, beyond a
bloody doubt, and I am going to hand you over to the police. Nelson!"

At the call the mastiff came up and looked inquiringly at his master.

"Sit down in that chair," continued the Englishman to Adam Adams,
shoving him backward on a seat. "Now, Nelson, watch him. Watch him,
old boy. Don't let him get up." And the dog growled In response.

The Englishman then motioned to the other man, and the pair went out
together, closing the door after them. Listening, the detective heard
a murmur of voices in the kitchen of the house and then all became
quiet.

Adam Adams was angry, and that anger was directed entirely at himself.
In the easiest possible manner he had allowed himself to be outwitted
and exposed.

Could the Englishman be honest in what he said, or was he playing a
deep game? That was a question which could not as yet be answered. If
the fellow was honest he was most likely now getting ready to take his
prisoner to the Sidham lockup. The absurdity of such a move compelled
Adam Adams to smile bitterly.

To escape was out of the question. He could not slip from the cords
which bound him, and at his slightest move the mastiff growled and
showed an inclination to leap at his throat. So the detective
considered discretion the better part of valor and remained quiet.

It was fully an hour before Matlock Styles returned. He was alone and
carried a lantern on his arm, for it was now dark outside.

"I can't take you to town to-night," he said. "I am going to keep you
here until morning."

"You haven't any right to keep me at all."

"I'll risk that. I'll make you comfortable, don't you fear."

Adam Adams thought rapidly. Perhaps to remain a prisoner at the
farmhouse would be better than to be taken to town. During the night
he might get the opportunity to escape.

Matlock Styles untied the end of the rope which bound the detective's
legs and ordered the prisoner to follow him.

"And don't try to run away, unless you want Nelson to make a meal of
you," he added grimly.

"Where are you going to take me?"

"You'll soon see."

The Englishman led the way out of the farmhouse and past the barn and
several other out-buildings. Then he took to a path leading to the
river and presently came to a halt in front of an old deserted mill.
The building was dark