plished the
task, and stood on the platform of the station at which Harvey's party
stopped the night previous.

The building was closed.

While he was rattling at the door in the vain hope that there might be
a watchman inside, a resident of the town passed.

"What's going on?" he asked in an unsteady voice which told quite
plainly why he was away from home at such an hour.

"I want to send a very important telegram."

"Well send--hic--her if you wanter."

"Where is the operator?"

"At home, I reckon, if he ain't, that's where he oughter be this time
in the morning."

"Do you know when he will be here?"

"'Bout midnight, if he counts on lookin' out for the express."

"Can you tell me what time it is now?"

It was rather a difficult matter for the tipsy party to get at his
watch; but he was in an obliging mood, and after some trouble succeeded
in clutching the timepiece.

"Come here an' see for yourself," he said, after trying in vain to make
out the position of the hands. "I reckon I must have bought four or
five watches by the looks of these, though I'm blest if I remember
anything about it."

"You've only got one there," Jet said, as he gazed over the stranger's
shoulder. "It lacks only ten minutes of being twelve o'clock; I shan't
have long to wait."

"I'd stay with you if I didn't have to call upon a sick friend," the
man replied after some difficulty, and then he staggered on, while Jet
paced to and fro as if only by exercise could he control his impatience.

In less than five minutes he was joined by two men, or at least they
came on the platform; but seemingly took care to prevent him from
seeing their faces.

He could hear them talking in low, earnest tones; but was so engrossed
by his own thoughts that he made no attempt to distinguish the words.

Finally the station agent, who was also the telegraph operator,
arrived, and as he unlocked the door Jet asked eagerly, and
sufficiently loud for the strangers to hear:

"Can I send a message to Albany?"

"Not now. Come to-morrow morning after eight o'clock."

"But this is very important and must go as soon as possible."

"I'll attend to you in the morning."

"It will be too late then," Jet cried, excitedly. "The chief of police
must have the news at once!"

The operator looked at Jet scrutinizingly, and the two men stepped a
few paces nearer.

"What's the matter?" the official asked.

"It is necessary detectives be sent here at o