the kidnappers of young Trent so closely that I
had only to sift one block of a certain street to find the gang and, I
believed, their victim; and, in spite of wonder and question, I would
tell them no more.

One of the next morning's papers contained this interesting item,
followed up by a copy of the letter sent by Mr. 'E. Roe, On the
Square,' to Mr. Trent:

'THE TRENT MYSTERY.

'There is hope that the mystery of the disappearance of
young Gerald Trent of Boston may soon be cleared up. And
there is reason for thinking that the enemy is weakening.
Not long since a letter, signed by the familiar name of
"Roe," was received by Mr. Trent and promptly handed over to
the officers. This letter we print herewith. Mr. Trent is
now in this city, and there have been singular discoveries
of late. It is quite probable that Mr. Trent even now will
compromise the matter provided his son is returned to him
safe and unharmed. For, strange as it may seem, to expose
and punish the miscreants, it would be necessary to bring
into prominence two ladies of fortune and high social
standing, who innocently and unwittingly have been made to
play a part in this strange affair. For their sakes,
doubtless, a quiet compromise and transfer will end this
most singular affair. The "Roe" letter reads as follows.'

* * * * *

Here, of course, came the letter which Miss O'Neil had copied at
length for her friend, and which, in the original, had been sent by
Mr. Trent to me.

When this notice had been read by the ladies and by Mr. Trent, I was
besieged for an explanation of what seemed to them 'an unwarranted
withdrawal from the battle'; but my purpose once explained, they were
readily appeased and their faith in me restored.

It was true that I had tracked the 'clique' to very close quarters,
but it was one thing to know that in one house, out of half a dozen,
were lodged all, or a part, of the gang, and it was another thing to
move upon them in such a way as to secure them all, and at the same
time rescue and save young Trent, if he were really in that unknown
house, and really alive. It was this problem that was taxing all my
ingenuity, and which, as yet, I had not quite solved.

I had called alone on this afternoon, Lossing being on guard, and when
the newspaper sensation had been explained and I was ab