this announcement was not long, but
spirited.

Joe explained that it was his intention to remain in that vicinity, and
within forty-eight hours to return to Weehawken, according to the
promise he had made Mrs. Weber.

Dan continued to insist that it was in the highest degree dangerous to
loiter there, and professed to believe himself deeply injured, because,
after having "taken up the case" in such an energetic fashion, he was
probably in danger of arrest through having aided these two supposed
criminals.

Master Plummer had but little to say; the thought of walking all night
was nearly as painful as that of being imprisoned, and he was willing to
throw all the responsibility of a decision upon his friend.

Before ten minutes had passed, the matter was settled,--not
satisfactorily to all concerned, but as nearly so as could have been
expected.

Joe and Plums were to call at the cottage with the hope of finding
temporary employment, and the amateur detective was to conceal himself
in the vicinity as best he might, until he should be able to learn
something definite regarding the purpose of the lawyers who had
advertised.

When Joe, followed by Master Plummer, turned from the highway into the
lane which led to the cottage, the amateur detective scrambled over the
fence on the opposite side of the road, and scurried through the field
as if believing he was hotly pursued.

Not until they had arrived nearly at the house did Master Plummer make
any remark, and then he said, with a long-drawn sigh:

"Dan Fernald makes too much work out of his detective business to suit
me. I couldn't walk all night if it was to save me life."

"I don't believe there's any reason why we should, Plums. Because Dan
thinks the cops have followed us over to Weehawken doesn't make it so,
an' if we can't hide here, we can't anywhere, 'cordin' to my way of
thinkin'. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to go off so far that we can't
get back to the princess."

Then Joe advanced to the side door, and knocked gently, Plums
whispering, hoarsely, meanwhile:

"Be ready to skip, if you hear a dog. I've been told that folks out this
way keep reg'lar bloodhounds to scare away tramps."

"I ain't 'fraid of dogs as much as I am that the man who lives here will
run us off the place the first minute he sees our faces," Joe replied,
and at that instant the door was opened.

Holding a lamp high above her head, and peering out into the gloom as if
suffering