ntinued, "every point you made was
met, and in our opinion, frankly and sufficiently met. Nothing was found
which could possibly justify an arrest, and unless unfavourable reports
are received from the New York police, the case against Mr. Wildred will
have to be dropped. The inspector is having an interview with him
to-night, and doubtless some details with which we, in enforcing our
search-warrant, had no concern will be satisfactorily cleared up. I mean
to say, details relating to the American gentleman, his ring, and his
departure for the States. Should we hear from New York that he has not
returned, why of course, in spite of appearances at the House by the
Lock and failure of circumstantial evidence, suspicion will be renewed
again."

There was absolutely nothing more to be said. Deep as was my chagrin, I
held my tongue as to my opinion of the way affairs had been managed, and
parted with the young detective with apparent nonchalance.

Naturally, I slept little during the night, and was awake even before
the early knock which sounded at my door.

"Two cablegrams for you, sir," said the waiter, when I had bidden him
come in.

CHAPTER XVIII

A Desperate Remedy

I took the envelopes from the man and told him he might go. Now for it!
I thought. Now to see whether the edifice I had builded had but a
foundation of sand, or whether Wildred had merely been clever enough to
pull wool over the eyes of the police.

My heart was thumping with excitement as I opened the first envelope.

"_St. Paul_ in to-night. First-class passenger on board named
Harvey Farnham."

I laid the bit of paper down dazedly and took up the other. It was from
the manager of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, in New York. "Mr. Farnham
telegraphed to keep room for him. Is spending day or two with friends."

I did not know what to think. It all sounded straightforward enough, and
it was not credible that either the official in the office of the
American liners, or the manager of an hotel, could be in collusion with
Carson Wildred. Still, I was far from being satisfied.

For the moment I had done all that I could do. If Farnham was stopping
with a friend, whose address was unknown to me, I could not at present
expect to receive an answer either to my New York or Denver cable. In a
day or two the police would hear something from the other side, and
meanwhile I must possess my soul in patience.

This was a thing easier said than done, especiall