tion."

"What is that?"

"You remember the day I kept your team for you?"

"I'll never forget it."

"You missed a package that had been under the feed bags when you came
to leave town?"

"Yes, and that's why I am here," said Zeph. "Old Ames was almost ready
to discharge me for letting those men at the hotel give me drink I had
never tasted before and getting in that fix you found me in, and for
losing some of the apples, but when he found out that I had lost that
package, he was nearly wild."

"Was there something so valuable in it, then?"

"I dunno. I only know I was told to be sure I kept it hidden and safe
till it was delivered to a fellow named Evans in town here."

"Jim Evans?"

"Yes, that's the full name."

Ralph looked pretty serious.

"You see, old Ames himself didn't send the package," went on Zeph. "It
was brought to the house by a fellow who had hired a team from Ames
one day last week. Dunno who he is, dunno where he lives, but I can
describe him, if you are interested."

"I am interested, very much so," assented Ralph.

Zeph went on to describe the person he had alluded to. By the time he
had concluded, it was evident to Ralph that the sender of the package
was Ike Slump.

The young fireman took Zeph back to the house but did not enter it
himself.

"I will be back soon, Zeph," he said, "I have some business down
town."

Ralph went at once to the home of Bob Adair.

"Want to see me, Fairbanks?" questioned the brisk, wide-awake railroad
detective, as Ralph was shown into the room where he was busily
engaged in packing a satchel.

"Yes, Mr. Adair, about the silk robbery."

"Oh, that mystery," nodded the detective. "I spent two days on it, and
didn't find a clew."

"I had one, but failed to find you," explained Ralph. "I'll tell you
all about it now."

"Quick work, then, Fairbanks," went on Adair, "for I'm due for a
special to the city. Big case from the General Superintendent."

Ralph rapidly related all he had learned. Adair listened intently. He
reflected for a moment or two after the young fireman had finished his
recital. Then he said:

"Fairbanks, this is of great importance, but I can't neglect the city
case. You helped me on another similar case once."

"Yes," said Ralph.

"Also aided me in running down those switch tower wreckers."

Ralph nodded.

"Good work, and you did nobly in those affairs. Let me think. Yes,
I'll do it! Here, I want you to go straight to the