form of the little station.

"I stop here," said Dyke. "And you?"

"I thought of going to Chicago."

"Postpone your trip then. I wish to consult with you on a matter of
importance."

The tall gentleman hesitated.

The train began to move.

"You must decide quickly," cried the detective.

Elliston walked the length of the narrow platform, with his hand on
the car rail, his satchel in the other hand. His hand fell from the
rail, and the express swept swiftly away in the darkness.

"Anything to accommodate, Dyke. I had some business of importance to
transact in Chicago, but it can wait."

"I am sorry if I put you to extra expense, Harper, but I wish to
consult with one whom I can trust. I've got a devilish mean work on
hand," said Dyke Darrel in an explanatory tone.

"You know I am always ready to assist you, Dyke. Is it a criminal
case?"

"Yes; the last on record."

"The express crime?"

"Yes."

"I mistrusted as much. You have been down the road?"

"To St. Louis!"

"Exactly."

"I took a young offender down who escaped from prison last winter. I
think the officers will look after him more closely in the future."

"Who was it?"

"Martin Skidway."

"I don't call to mind the name, now."

Lights in the distance showed that the village contained one
public-house at least. So there the two men repaired.

Mr. Elliston quaffed a glass of wine, while the detective would take
nothing but a cigar. Repairing to a room, the two men sat and
conversed for some time in the most confidential way.

Dyke Darrel gave his friend an account of his adventure on the train,
which had induced him to stop off and investigate.

The reader may imagine that it was extremely indiscreet for the
detective to give away his plans to Elliston, but Dyke Darrel had
known this man for more than a year, had visited him in New York, and
found him to be well thought of there, and he had more than once
confided in him, to find him as true as steel.

At this time the detective believed Elliston to be the best friend he
had in the world. He knew the New Yorker to be a man of great ability
and thoroughly acquainted with the world, and more than once he had
done a good turn for Darrel. Why then should he not trust him? In
fact, Dyke Darrel had noticed the growing interest Mr. Elliston took
in his sister, and it pleased him. Looking upon him as almost a
brother, it is little wonder that Dyke Darrel took the man from Gotham
into his co