've never seen her."

"Then it's a bet?"

"Yes."

"You saw Cad Metti within the last five minutes."

"I did?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"That you should know. I tell you that you have seen her."

"I say I never have."

"You think you would have recognized her?"

"Yes."

"Under any cover?"

"Yes."

"You have seen her all the same."

Wise was thoughtful a moment and then exclaimed:

"Great Scott! it is impossible."

"No, sir."

"Do you mean to tell me that----"

"Yes, I mean to tell you that the messenger lad was Cad Metti."

"Great Caesar! Oscar Dunne, that girl is a marvel."

"Well, she is."

"I've heard how you first met her."

"Yes, and I've been her instructor. She is, I will admit, the most
wonderful girl I ever met. Did I say met? I will add I never read or
heard of such a girl. She could make her living on the stage as a
marvel. She is a great musical genius. She can sing or dance, she can
fence or wrestle like a man. Her strength is extraordinary, and as a
pistol shot she is the champion woman of the world; and when it comes
to quickness, nerve, cunning, and courage she cannot be excelled."

"I reckon you are dead in love with your pal."

"You needn't do any guessing on that score. She is my detective aid and
together we will perform wonders for you. I will talk the matter over
with Cad. We will lay out a plan and I will report to you."

"Good enough; I feel hopeful. It will be a great thing to run down this
gang, for, as I said, they are the most dangerous lot of criminals on
earth, and their head-center is evidently a man of genius. Let us catch
him and we will easily close down on the whole gang."

"Cad and I will locate him, you bet."

"And get the evidence?"

"I reckon when we get him we will get the evidence along with him. You
know it will be a hunt for evidence that will lead up to the capture."

"Oscar, you are not slow at the business."

"Thank you; but it's business and not compliments."

"Good enough; I expect to hear from you."

"I'll report."

"Will you have your cigar?"

"Yes, I won; I'll take it."

Oscar Dunne was a young detective who had earned a great reputation.
Some of our readers have read an account of his previous exploits and
know what a smart chap he is. Those who have not read about Dudie Dunne
we advise to do so. As stated in our previous account, Oscar had no
particular history. He had simply graduated to the detective force, and
had made a g