t."

It was a revelation to Geoffrey to find how completely, as his alarm
showed, he had cast in his interests with McVay's. He stepped forward in
silence and opened the door.

Not the police, but a man in plain clothes was standing there.

"I'm glad to see you safe, Mr. Holland," he said. "There has been great
anxiety felt for your safety. I am a detective working on the Vaughan
and Marheim cases. I got word to come and look you up as you did not get
back to the gardener's cottage the night before last."

"The snow detained me," said Geoffrey slowly.

"Come in, come in, friend," said McVay briskly. "You must be cold."

It speaks well for the professional eye that the detective, after
studying McVay for an instant, asked:

"I did not catch this gentleman's name. Who is he?"

There was a barely perceptible pause. Then Geoffrey answered coolly:
"That is the man you are after."

"Are you crazy, Holland?" shouted McVay.

"What, the Vaughan burglar? You caught him without assistance?" Envy and
admiration struggled on the detective's countenance. "I must
congratulate you, sir."

Geoffrey allowed himself the luxury of a groan. "You needn't," he said;
"I am no subject for congratulation. I can't even prosecute him,
confound him, for several reasons. We were at school together, and I can
take no steps in the matter."

"But I can," said the detective; "indeed it is my duty to."

"No," said Geoffrey, "nor can you. This man cannot be sent to prison.
Yes, I know, it is compounding a felony. Well, sit down, and we'll
compound it."

"I could not agree to anything of the kind," said the detective.

"I don't see exactly what you can do about it." Geoffrey was deliberate
and very polite. "For reasons which I can't explain, but which you would
appreciate, leave me no choice. I have to save this man from jail. If
you intend to work against me, I shall simply let him escape at once.
Don't draw your revolver, please. I prefer to be the only person with a
weapon in my hand. He has made a list of all the things he has stolen,
and I shall see that they are returned to their owners at any cost. Will
you undertake to get him safely to a mine I own in Mexico? Once there he
can't get away. It is forty-five miles from a railway. If you accomplish
this, I will give you ten thousand to make up for the reward you didn't
get,--five thousand down, and five thousand at the end of a year."

"I don't know what to say," said the man. "It s