he turned up again and was introduced as La
Montalbon's husband. There was a story going that he had married another
girl and deserted her. A young Creole I think, though I never heard her
name."

"Did you know anything about a child, a girl?"

"That was another queer part of it. There was a girl, little Rosy. Some
said it was the Creole's, but La Montalbon always claimed it was hers."

"What became of Mitchel?"

"About a year after he passed as La Montalbon's husband he skipped
out--vanished. Several years after that there was another sensation. The
child was kidnapped. La Montalbon offered big rewards to recover her,
but she never did. Then about three years ago her place began to run
down; she lost money, and finally she too disappeared."

"If this story is true it may be quite important. Do you think you could
identify this man Mitchel?"

"Well, I don't know for certain. But see here, come to think of it,
there were two Mitchels, and both named Leroy too."

"Are you sure of that?"

"Pretty sure. They were cousins. The other fellow was younger. I didn't
know him myself. He was a Young-Men's-Christian-Association sort of a
boy, and not quite in my line. But I sort of remember hearing that he
was in love with the Creole girl. But say, I'll tell you who can give it
to you straight as a shingle."

"Ah, who is that?"

"An old man named Neuilly. He knew all about the Creole, and so must
know about the Mitchels. I think he was in La Montalbon's power. She
knew something about him and blackmailed him, as she did lots of others.
Now that she is dead, you might make him open his mouth."

"Very good. Get me his address, and then see what you can find out about
the other Leroy Mitchel, the good boy. Discover what became of him and
I'll pay you well. Meanwhile don't let Sefton know that you are not
carrying out his scheme."

"Say, pard, I tumble to you now. You suspected Sefton and you played
your cards to draw me out. Well, you did it neat, and now I'm with you.
Good-day. When I see you again I'll have some news for you."

The following day Mr. Barnes called at the bachelor home of Mr.
Neuilly. The handsome old man received him in stately fashion and
courteously asked the detective to explain his mission.

For a moment Mr. Barnes did not know how to proceed; he at last said:

"Mr. Neuilly, I have come to ask your aid in the cause of justice. I
have hesitated to do this, not wishing to disturb you. That I do so