loomed
up in the moonlight.

"This open sewer has witnessed more thar one crime," mused the
Professor. "I would like it if that infernal Dyke Darrel was at the
bottom of the river. He has taken into his head to hunt down the men
who killed Arnold Nicholson, and if there's a man east of the
Mississippi who can ferret out this crime, Dyke Darrel is the one. But
I don't mean to permit him to do anything of the kind if I know
myself. It's a fight between the detective and as sharp a man as any
detective that ever lived. I imagine--hello! who is this?"

The last exclamation was caused by the sudden appearance of a dark
form coming up over the dock as if from the water. A moment later a
man paused within six feet of Professor Ruggles, and penetrated him
with a pair of glittering eyes.

"What do you want?"

It was the Professor who uttered the word, at the same time receding a
step or two, for the stranger's glance startled him considerably.

"Who are you?" demanded the stranger, shortly.

"It does not concern you."

"Don't it? We'll see about that."

An arm shot forward. The Professor's plug fell to the ground, and the
next instant a red wig was swung aloft in the moonlight.

"Ha! I thought so. You are the man I seek--"

The speaker's words were cut off suddenly.

CHAPTER V.

ELLISTON'S REBUFF.

A mad cry fell from the lips of the Professor when he felt himself
unceremoniously scalped. The next instant his right hand drew forth a
gleaming knife.

"Oh! Ah! MURDER!"

A dark form went backward over the dock; a splash followed, and the
Professor stood alone. He peered into the muddy water to note the fact
that it flowed on calmly as before.

Then Ruggles picked up his hat and wig, and readjusted them on his
head.

"My soul! that was a narrow escape."

At this moment another form was seen approaching, and the Professor,
deeming it prudent to move away, was soon striding from the spot, his
tall form disappearing in the shadows before the third person reached
the edge of the dock.

* * * * *

On the day following the events last narrated, a man ran up the steps
at the Darrel cottage in Woodburg, and rang the bell.

Nell answered, and met the gentlemanly Mr. Elliston. She led the way
at once to a room opening from the hall, where preparations had been
made for a lunch.

"Where is Dyke?" questioned the gentleman the moment he was seated.

"I haven't seen him since he