innocent, you know you have nothing to fear."

"Except the disgrace of being arrested."

"Possibly," said Mr. Pinkerton, shortly, and bowing his visitor out, he
pondered long and deeply over the case; but he felt he was groping in
the dark, for the robber had apparently left no trace behind him. He had
appeared on the scene, done his work, and the dark shadows of the night
had swallowed him up, and Mr. Pinkerton, for the time, was completely
baffled.

"If he would only write that letter," he muttered, "and I believe he
will--"

A tap at the door followed these words, and two men entered--both
Pinkerton detectives.

One of them carried a bundle in his arms.

As Mr. Pinkerton caught sight of it, his face lightened up.

"Ah! You did get it?"

"Yes; found them in a ditch the other side of Kirkwood."

Mr. Pinkerton laughed, and taking the bundle, said:

"Mr. Damsel said they could not be found; but I knew you, Chip. It was a
good move on your part to go after these clothes without waiting for
orders. You are starting in well, my boy, and if you have the making of