was very trying to be told that
he had been arrested for theft. Then she inquired what amount would be
required for security.

The counsel named the sum fixed by the police justice, whereupon Mrs.
Walton appeared to be considerably agitated for a moment.

"I am an entire stranger in the city," she remarked, recovering herself
somewhat. "I know no one to whom I could appeal to become bound for so
large a sum. What can I do?"

"Have you plenty of means at your disposal, madame?" her companion
inquired.

"Yes, I could give bail to almost any reasonable amount, only being a
stranger here, I fear it would not be accepted from me," the lady
returned, with a look of anxiety.

"No; but I think I can suggest a way out of that difficulty," said the
lawyer, with a crafty smile.

"Then do so," said Mrs. Walton, quickly; "I am willing to pay handsomely
to secure the release of my son from his uncomfortable position."

"Very well. Then if you can command the sum named you can deposit it in
one of the city banks and I will attend to all other formalities for you.
Of course, the money will be returned to you after the trial of your
son."

"Could such arrangements be made?" Mrs. Walton eagerly inquired.

"Certainly. All that is required is sufficient security to insure the
young man's appearance at his trial, and then he will be released."

"Then I can arrange it," the woman said, apparently greatly relieved;
and after discussing ways and means a while longer, the lawyer took his
leave.

A few hours served to arrange matters satisfactorily to all parties. The
sum required was deposited in one of the city banks, and the cashier was
empowered to pay it over to the city treasurer, if Jake Walton failed
to appear at the time named to answer to the charge of complicity in the
Palmer diamond robbery. He was then released, the lawyer was handsomely
remunerated for his efficient services, and Mrs. Walton and her son
returned to the Southern Hotel.

It was on their way thither that they entered the car in which Mona was
also returning to the hotel, and when she made the discovery that the
woman had on the very dress which the charming Mrs. Vanderbeck had worn
on the day of the Palmer robbery.

We know what followed--how she immediately sent on to Ray for the scrap
of cloth, and how, later, she found that it exactly fitted the rent in
the dress.

We know, also, how, immediately following this discovery, she sought the
headquart