is under my protection, and I do not want
you to molest her."

"Say, do you know who she is?" asked the little man, curiously.

"I do."

"Well, she has got to go back to the asylum, and that is all there is to
it."

"Asylum?" gasped Nick Smithers.

"That is what I said."

"I'll not go back!" screamed the young lady. "Lancelot, protect me!" and
she clutched the swindler around the neck.

"Do you mean to tell me she belongs in an asylum?" came faintly from
Nick Smithers.

"She does. She escaped from the lunatic asylum at Sarville yesterday."

"Wha--what is her name?"

"Mary Jacobotson. Her mind was turned years ago by reading romantic
novels, and she imagines she has an uncle who is keeping her money away
from her."

"Is she under the charge of an uncle?"

"No. Her father had her placed in the asylum, for he couldn't keep her
at home. Her father is a well-to-do builder of Hartford."

All this time the young lady, who was indeed insane, was clinging
tightly to Nick Smithers' neck.

"Don't leave me!" she implored. "I love you! Don't leave me, and you
shall have a million dollars and a rubber doll! Don't leave me,
Augustus! I implore thee, by the light of yonder stars!" And now she
began to rave.

"I--I reckon I made a mistake," said the swindler, much crestfallen.
"Let go of me!" And now he pushed the raving girl from him. The train
had stopped at a station, and in another moment the asylum keeper had
the patient on the platform, where she continued to rave. Then the train
moved on.

Sinking back in his seat at the dining-car table, the swindler mopped
the beads of perspiration from his forehead with his handkerchief. He
was utterly disgusted.

"That is where I certainly put my foot in it," he muttered. "But I can
be thankful I didn't marry the girl!"

"Sorry, sar, but you'll have to settle for this lunch," said the waiter.

"If so, I reckon I'll eat it," answered Nick Smithers, and proceeded to
do so.

Nat had watched the whole scene with interest. At first he was inclined
to confront the swindler without delay, but then reconsidered the
matter.

"I must go slow," he mused. "If I'm not careful he'll get away again."

When Nick Smithers left the dining car Nat followed him to the smoker
and saw the swindler settle down for a comfortable smoke.

"He isn't going to leave the train just yet," thought our hero. "I
shouldn't be surprised if he is bound for Albany. If that's so, I had
better wait