t
every winder in the front was shet, and the curtains down, all but
one, and that was the front one next the alley; that was open half-way
and the curtain was up. I couldn't see inside, but jest as I came
oppersite the winder a man's face popped right out of it for jest a
minit, lookin' the way the other feller went, and then it popped out
o' sight ag'in; but I had seen it square!'

'Who was it?' I demanded, now thoroughly aroused.

'It was that feller that was so perlite to Camp and me the time you
was arristed; the Sunday-school feller.'

I started to my feet, and sat down again. She had been doing detective
work indeed! I thought I could understand it all. This was the house
we had for days suspected and watched, but the only one ever seen to
enter it had been Greenback Bob. Doubtless the murder of the brunette
made them so uneasy that, contrary to custom, Delbras had ventured out
by day, probably to learn what he could of the movements of the
officers. I turned to Mrs. Camp.

'Mrs. Camp,' I began earnestly, 'I am going to confide in you. Those
men belong to a gang of robbers and murderers; we have been watching
them for weeks. Fortunately, you have come upon them in such a way as
to locate their hiding-place; you can help us very much if you will
try to recall everything just as you saw it there, and will answer a
few questions, when you have told your story. Or--is this all?'

'All! I guess it ain't all; an' I guess you won't need to ask many
questions when I get through!' I nodded, and she went on rapidly:

'When I see that feller dodge back and shet the winder, I remembered
what you had said about him and the others, and 'bout their tellin'
me, to that office, how you was a detective yourself; and I jest sez
to myself, says I, "I'm goin' to try an' git another look at that
house;" so I went on past it till I come to a little store, and I went
in an' bought ten cents' worth of green tea, and when I comes out I
goes back, jest as if I was going home with my shoppin'. By the way,
you ain't seemed to notice these new clo's.'

I had noted the black gown and cape-like mantle she wore, both plain,
but neat and not an ill fit; and I had also wondered how she had
happened to discard her old straw hat with the lopping green bows for
the simple dark bonnet she wore, but she did not wait for my
criticism.

'I'll tell you how't come,' she went on. 'I ain't blind, and I'd been
a-noticin' the difference 'twixt my clo