off the best woman that ever lived, when there's
three others doin' the same thing."

"Look here, you've _got_ to go back with me."

Joe was in deepest distress, and after a pause of several seconds he
said, slowly:

"If you lay right down on my goin' to her house with you, I'll do it;
but I won't stay there a single minute. The princess can be left where
she is till I get back."

Now was the time when Dan Fernald could exert his authority with effect,
and he said, sharply:

"If you go back without the kid, the old woman'll lay it to me. Now this
is what you've _got_ to do. Take your bloomin' princess, an' act jest
the same as if you hadn't met me. I'll wait till your aunt Dorcas gets
through fussin' over the kid, an' then I'll flash up. Tell her I'm one
of your friends, an' we'll see how she takes it."

"But I don't want to do that, Dan," Joe cried, in distress.

"You must, or I'll have to go to jail, an' when it comes to anything
like that, the whole boilin' of us are in it. Go ahead, an' get the
kid."

Joe was no longer able, because of his sorrow and perplexity, to contend
against the amateur detective, and, without making any further reply, he
walked slowly towards Mrs. Weber's home, his heart heavier even than on
that morning when he first read the advertisement which seemingly
branded him as a criminal.

CHAPTER XI.

A BRIBE.

It appeared very much as if Dan suspected Joe of treachery even in this
matter of reclaiming the princess, for he followed him to Mrs. Weber's
home, and there stood within a few paces of the door, where he might
overhear all that was said.

Now that the amateur detective was thoroughly alarmed concerning his own
safety, he had ceased his grotesquely mysterious movements, and behaved
very much like an ordinary boy.

Not until Joe had knocked twice at the door was his summons answered,
and then the old German lady stood before him, with the princess in her
arms.

He had hoped the child would recognise him, but was not prepared for
such a hearty greeting as he received.

The princess, looking less dainty than when he first saw her, because of
a coarse calico frock which the careful Mrs. Weber had put on, in the
place of her more expensive garments, leaned forward in the old lady's
arms, stretching out both tiny hands to Joe, as she twittered and
chirped, after her own peculiar manner, what was evidently a greeting
to the boy who had acted a guardian's part to the