arch as diligently as the rest, and he and
Raymond ran through the woods from end to end several times. Then they
procured a boat and rowed up and down the river, and crossed over to
the other side.

"She could not have gone far," said Raymond. "Her strength was not
equal to it."

It was dark by the time they came back to the river, to cross to the
town side. As they rowed along, slowly and silently, Tom Ostrello
noticed something floating on the water. He steered toward the object
and picked it up. It was a girl's summer hat.

"Margaret's hat!" cried Raymond. He dropped his oar and his face
turned as white as death. "I know the truth now! She has drowned
herself in the river!"

CHAPTER XXIV

ONE AGAINST MANY

Surrounded by his enemies, Adam Adams stood in the center of the stone
room under the old mill, speculating upon what was to happen next. He
saw that the men were thoroughly aroused and ready for any crime.
Although all were masked by the hoods over their heads, each showed his
rage and temper by his movements and his tone of voice.

"Well, now you are in our power, what have you to say for yourself?"
came from Matlock Styles, after a pause.

"What do you want me to say?" returned the detective. "You have the
best of the game just now, so it would seem."

"You're right--and we mean to keep it; eh, boys?"

"That's so," answered several.

"As a spy, he must suffer the fate of a spy," put in one of the number.

"Unless he consents to join us," added another.

"I'd never trust this bloody rascal," broke in Matlock Styles. "He's
too sharp for us. He's a detective."

"If you don't mind telling, what is your business down here, Matlock
Styles?" asked Adam Adams. He thought it best to put on a bold front,
even with matters looking as black as they did.

"Ha! So you think you know me?" questioned the Englishman harshly.

"Of course, I know you."

"Well--it don't matter much--now," was the significant return.

"Are you transacting business down here?"

"Don't you know?"

"I do not."

"In that case, it's best to keep you ignorant."

"That's right, don't tell him a thing," came from one of the men who
had first caught the detective.

"I want to know why you followed me up?" continued Matlock Styles.
"You'll find it to your interest to answer me."

"I might answer as you have done and say it is best to keep you in
ignorance. But I won't do it. I followed you up because I t