e with certain instructions, and hurried to a telephone.

He was unable to get either Sidney Prale or Murk, for at that hour they
were on their way to the Griffin residence. Farland telephoned to his
wife to say that he was all right, but would not be home until some time
during the day. Then he engaged a taxicab and began his work.

He knew where to start now. An idea had come to him in that old house
far up the river, a suspicion, a feeling of certainty that he was on the
right track. Jim Farland was no respecter of persons that night.

When morning came he stopped only for a cup of coffee, and then worked
on. He dashed from one place to another, running up a taxicab bill that
made the chauffeur smile. He interviewed important gentlemen,
threatening some and cajoling others, but always getting the information
that he desired.

At two o'clock the following afternoon he stood on a certain corner near
Madison Square, his suspicion almost proved, his investigation at an
end.

"Now for the big bluff!" Jim Farland said to himself.

He fortified himself with another cup of coffee, got into the taxicab
again, and started downtown. He was smoking one of his big, black
cigars, puffing at it as if in deep contentment, not looking at all like
a man who had been kept a prisoner a night and a day, and had been busy
since that experience.

The taxicab stopped before an office building, as Jim Farland had
ordered. The detective pulled out his last money and paid the chauffeur.

"You're got more coming, son, but this is all I have with me," Farland
said. "Drop in at my office any time after ten to-morrow morning and get
it."

"Yes, Mr. Farland--and thanks!"

"You're a good boy, but keep your mouth shut!" Farland told him.

Then he hurried into the office building, went to the elevator nearest
the entrance, and ascended to the floor where George Lerton had his
suite of offices.

The office boy stepped to the railing.

"Mr. Lerton busy?" Farland asked.

"He is alone in his private office, sir," said the boy, who regarded the
detective with admiration and awe. After Farland's other visit, the
youth had decided to be a detective when he grew up.

"I am to go right in--important business," Farland said. "Never mind
announcing me."

The willing boy opened the gate, and Farland hurried across to the door
of the private office. He paused there a moment and seemed to pull
himself together, as if making sure before entering