ter you're straightened out."

"They wouldn't take on a feller of your size," Master Plummer said, with
something very like a sneer; which was not seemly, in view of the fact
that Dan was at this moment giving him the full benefit of his wonderful
ability, simply through friendship.

"It don't make any difference about a feller's size; it's the head what
counts. Before long you'll find out whether I've got one or not."

Joe gave no heed to his friend's words. His grief was so great that
probably he knew nothing whatever regarding that morning journey, save
that the princess, when not laughing and chattering at him, was eating,
with evident relish, the sugar-besprinkled cake which Plums had slipped
into her chubby hand.

The boy did not realise that he might be doing a grievous wrong against
the parents of the princess by thus taking her from the city. He knew
she would be cared for to the best of his ability, and it seemed as if
those who loved her must realise the same. Of course he understood that
she was to be restored to her father and mother as soon as it should be
possible, but he failed to take into consideration the suffering which
might be theirs because of her disappearance.

Therefore it was that, in all this wretched business, at the end of
which he could see nothing but the open door of a prison, the only
bright thing to him, amid the clouds of despair, was the companionship
of the princess.

After the first slight sorrow at being forced to leave his home, Plums
began to enjoy this flight, and discussed with Dan the possible
enjoyment of a detective's life until the party arrived within a block
of the ferry-slip.

It was yet so early in the morning that but few were on the street; but
Dan had no intention of allowing the boy whom he was saving to enter
the slip like an ordinary citizen.

Ordering a halt near the entrance of an alleyway which led between two
stables, he said, with the air of a general:

"Tim, you scout along down towards the ferry-slip, an' see if anybody's
there on the watch. We'll stay here so's we can sneak up through this
alley if you should whistle twice. Jerry, you're to walk back about half
a block, so's to make certain the perlice don't creep up on us from
behind."

"But there ain't a dozen people in sight, an' we can see that there's no
cop 'round!" Master Plummer exclaimed. "What's to hinder our goin' right
on board the boat?"

"Look here, Plums, if you know more 'bou