the largest and best--so
called--detective agencies in the country to assist me. The result has
in every case been the same."

"What were the results?"

"There have been any number of hoboes and yeggmen arrested; many of them
have been sent to prison; some of them have gone up for long terms; we
have proved the cases of robberies against them often enough--but the
point is, that the robberies have gone merrily on afterward, just the
same."

"Go on," said the detective, nodding his head.

"Eight separate times we have had, as we supposed, Hobo Harry himself in
our clutches. Each of those eight separate times the prisoner who was
supposed to be Hobo Harry has confessed that he was that individual,
and----"

"And so you have arrested eight Hobo Harrys, eh?"

"That is about the size of it. But the point is----"

"The point is that not one of the eight was really Hobo Harry."

"Exactly."

"Very good. Go ahead with your story."

"In each case, after the arrest, as we supposed, of Hobo Harry himself,
the robberies and thefts along the line have received an impetus; they
have increased in number, and in volume--and also in seriousness. These
yeggmen do not confine themselves to breaking into freight cars and
stations along the line of the road. They burglarize post offices, and
even country banks. They pillage houses. They turn their hands and
their talents to anything and everything where there is hope of reward
for them. The thing has got beyond endurance."

"Well?"

"We want you, Carter, to find Hobo Harry himself--if you can."

"Well?"

"The matter was discussed thoroughly at a meeting of our board of
directors yesterday, and it was determined at that meeting that if you
could find Hobo Harry and arrest him, and, having arrested him, could
convict him and send him to prison, and, having done that, could prove
to our entire satisfaction that the man is Hobo Harry, your reward will
be fifty thousand dollars, spot cash. Only, you must understand, we must
be certain that your man is the real article."

"Hobo Harry, the King of the Beggars, eh?"

"Yes. Beggars, you know, is supposed to be the name of their
organization."

The detective nodded.

"Will you take the case, Carter?"

"I suppose so--if there isn't a time limit set upon it."

"You may take your own time; that is, of course, if it is not too long."

"It will require some time to do the thing thoroughly."

"I suppose so. Well, have it your o