now it all, a few points."

"Step out and let me see what you can do."

Jet was by no means bashful; in a few seconds he was dancing as
spiritedly as if such discomforts as hunger and fatigue were unknown.

"You'll do," the stranger said, approvingly, when the boy ceased his
efforts. "I'll take you along, and pay a little something if you'll do
a turn."

"You can bet your life I will, but I don't want to go any farther than
Cooperstown Junction."

"Very well, there'll be plenty of time to talk about that part of the
business, for we shall make three stands between here and there. Take
this money to buy something in the way of a lunch, and in twenty
minutes we'll start."

Jet was overjoyed.

By this arrangement he saw an opportunity to follow the alleged
murderers, and at the same time earn money to return to New York if
necessary.

Probably if he had told his new employer the whole story that gentleman
would have advised him to call upon the inspector without delay, rather
than try to run the criminals down himself.

As it was, however, he believed he knew exactly what course to pursue,
and had little doubt as to succeeding.

Two sandwiches and three boiled eggs were the provisions he purchased
to break his long fast, and when the train drew out of the depot the
amateur dancer, seated by the side of his employer, thought he was very
fortunate.

Cobleskill was the town where Jet was to make his first bow before the
public, and with a costume which was rather "off color" because of
having been contributed in fragments by the different members of the
company, he stepped on the stage feeling just a trifle nervous.

To the surprise of his professional companions Jet gave a really
presentable performance.

It is true some of his steps were not exactly artistic, but he made up
in quantity what might have been lacking in quality, and the applause
received was enough to make him proud.

"Say, my boy, you'll make a success of this thing if you do a little
studying," the manager exclaimed when Jet finished his turn. "I'll
give you ten dollars a week and pay all your expenses if you want to
keep on the road with us."

"I don't reckon I'll stay more than the three nights we talked about,
'cause you see I've got some work to do when we strike Cooperstown
Junction."

"You'll be glad enough to drop it when you see what kind of a place it
is."

During the remainder of the evening Jet had nothing to do save wat