toward Dyke Darrel.

It was Professor Darlington Ruggles who penned the letter to Nell
Darrel that sent the unsuspecting girl to Chicago to meet her brother.

She was not a little surprised at not finding Dyke at the depot to
meet her, and consequently felt a thrill of alarm at seeing so many
strange faces.

Why had he not come?

While standing meditating on what course to pursue, a gentleman in
rather seedy garments, yet withal not bad looking, stepped up and
touched the girl's arm.

"Is this Miss Darrel?"

"Yes, sir," answered the girl, promptly, at the same time regarding
the tall, sunset-haired gentleman, who bowed and lifted his tall hat,
with no little curiosity.

"I am Oscar Sims, a friend to the great detective, and ever ready to
serve his handsome sister."

"But, sir, I do not think that it will be at all necessary. I expect
my brother at any minute, now," returned Nell, with a cool hauteur,
meant to be freezing.

Nell had heard of the villainous sharks of the great city, who lie in
wait for unsuspecting maidens, and she did not mean to be taken in by
one of them. Mr. Sims, however, seemed to be a kind gentleman, and
when he looked hurt at her remark she hastened to apologize for
seeming rudeness.

"It is not at all necessary," said Mr. Sims, with a bland smile. "Mr.
Darrel requested me to visit the depot, and look after a young lady
whom he expected on the evening train from Woodburg. I hope you will
not distrust one who has the best interests of the great detective at
heart."

Again the red-haired gentleman bowed, and looked smilingly into the
face of the young girl.

For the time, Nell was thrown off her guard.

"I--I expected to meet my brother," she articulated. "He said nothing
about you--a stranger--meeting me at the depot."

"No; and good reason why. He did not know when he wrote that it would
be impossible for him to get to the depot. A slight accident----"

"Accident! Dyke injured? Then let me go to him at once," cried the
impulsive girl, before the man could complete his sentence.

"It is not so very bad," said Mr. Sims, as he led the way to the walk
without, and placed his fair charge on the cushions of a hack. Giving
low instructions to the driver, he vaulted to the side of Nell Darrel,
and the hack rattled away.

Nell sat flushed and silent for some minutes, her heart throbbing
painfully.

"Tell me about it," she finally said to her companion. "How did it
happen?"

"I c