information.

A little later came the reply:

"No such person on the train."

A malediction fell from the detective's lips. Was his enemy to thus
outwit him always?




CHAPTER XXIX.

RETRIBUTION.


A tall, handsome man of middle-age stood picking his teeth with a
jaunty air beside the desk of a down-town boarding-house, when his
occupation, if such we may call it, was interrupted by a touch on his
arm.

Looking down, the gentleman saw a small, ragged urchin standing near.

"It is yourn--10 cents, please."

The boy held out a yellow envelope, on which was scrawled the name
"Harper Elliston."

The gentleman dropped the required bit of silver into the boy's hand