Warden's; and that must have been fully six weeks ago."

The detective looked at Sheriff Knox.

"Well," said the big officer, "I reckon we might as well push along."

The two men arose.

"Oh, but surely you will stay for dinner," said Auntie Sue, while her
dear heart was faint with fear lest they accept, and thus bring about
who could say what disastrous consequences through their meeting with
Judy.

"Not this time, Auntie Sue," returned the Sheriff. "Mr. Ross is anxious
to get on down the river as fast as he can. He's got men on watch at
White's Crossing, and if our man ain't passed there, or if we don't
strike his trail somewhere before we get there, we will jump back on the
railroad, and get some boy to bring the horses through later."

"I see," returned Auntie Sue. And to the detective she added, smiling:
"I am sure it must be very difficult for any one to escape you, Mr.
Ross. I have read such wonderful things about Mr. Burns and the work
of his organization; and now that I have met you,--a real live
detective,--I shall be very careful, indeed, about what I do in the
future. I shouldn't want to have you on my track, I assure you."

The two men laughed heartily, and the detective, as he extended his hand
in farewell, returned: "I count it a great privilege to have met you,
Miss Wakefield; and if you will promise to do one thing for me, I'll
agree to be very lenient with you if I am ever assigned to a case in