"It's so sudden, Jack!" said Mary. "But I'm glad you're going. I wish
I could go, too."

"I wish you could," said Jack, heartily; "but I'll write. I'll tell
you everything. Good-by, Mr. Murdoch's waiting. Good-by!"

The _Eagle_ editor was indeed waiting, and he was very uneasy. "What a
calamity it would be," he thought, "to have my own 'devil' arrested for
burglary. The _Inquirer_ would enjoy that! It isn't Jack's fault, but
I can't bear everything!"

Meanwhile Mary sat at the table and pretended to look among the papers
for a new story, but really she was trying to keep from crying over
Jack's departure. Mr. Murdoch and Jack had gone to the station.

There was cunning in the plans of the pursuers of Mrs. McNamara's
burglar this time. Three of them, each aided by several eager
volunteers, dashed around Mertonville, searching every shop in which
any sort of face-blacking might be used, and Deacon Abrams himself went
to the station with a justice of the peace, a notary-public, a
constable, and the man that kept the village pound.

"He won't get by _me_," said the deacon wisely, as Mr. Murdoch and a
neatly dressed young gentleman passed him, arm in arm.

"Good morning, Mr. Murdoch. The _Eagle's_ improving. You did me
justice. We're after that same villain now. We'll get him this time,
too."

"Deacon," said the editor, gripping Jack's arm hard, "I'll mention your
courage and public spirit again. Tie him tighter next time."

"We will," said the deacon; "and I've got some new subscribers for you,
and a column advertisement."

Mr. Murdoch hurried to the ticket-window, and Jack patiently looked
away from Deacon Abrams all the while.

"There," said Mr. Murdoch, "jump right in. Keep your satchel with you.
I'm going back to the office."

[Illustration: _"There," said Mr. Murdoch, "jump right in."_]

"Good-by," said Jack, pocketing his ticket and entering the car.

He took a seat by the open window, just as the train started.

"Jack's gone, Mary," exclaimed Mr. Murdoch, under his breath, as he
re-entered the _Eagle_ office. "Have those men been here again?"

"No," said Mary. "But the chairmen of the two central committees have
both been here. Elder Holloway said they would. They will call again."

"What did you say?" the editor asked.

"Why," replied Mary, "I told them you were just getting well."

"So I am," said Mr. Murdoch. "There's a great demand for that number
of the _Eagle_. Forty-s