"Yes."

"Did he get on at Elmira?"

"Certainly not. He came all the way from New York."

"It is false!" said Palmer.

"What does he mean, Fred?" asked the conductor.

"He committed a burglary at Elmira yesterday afternoon, and is trying
to make out that I was connected with it."

"There he tells a falsehood," said the conductor bluntly. "I saw you on
the train through the entire journey."

"A very good alibi, Fred," said the detective. "Mr. Lawrence, after
this testimony it is hardly necessary for me to hold the boy. Are you
satisfied that I should let him go free?"

"Entirely so. I felt from the first that he was innocent."

"Then, Fred, you may consider yourself at liberty to go where you
please. I am as glad as you are that you are freed from suspicion."

"Thank you, sir. I will go with you as far as the lock-up."

Palmer scowled at him, but saw that it was useless to persist in his
charges against the boy, and walked on with head bent, reflecting
bitterly that he had not only lost the proceeds of the burglary, but
his freedom besides. He could see now that but for his secreting the
stolen watch and chain in Fred's bundle, he would probably have escaped
scot free. As for the present, at least, we shall have nothing more to
do with F. Grant Palmer, it may be briefly set down that after a speedy
trial he was found guilty by the jury without leaving their seats. He
was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, and is now serving out his
term at Auburn.

Daring the remainder of his stay at Niagara, Fred used his time to
advantage, and it was with a thankful heart that he took his place on
the through train to New York the next morning. Just before starting,
Mr. Lawrence appeared on the platform, and handed him a small package
covered with brown paper.

"Have you a pocket where this will be safe?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Then put it away, and open it when you arrive home."

"Thank you, sir."

Fred's attention was taken up by his duties as train boy, and he gave
no thought to the package, though he wondered at the moment what it
contained.

The train left at 8:43, and was not due in Jersey City till 10:10 P.M.
At Port Jervis a young lady came on board dressed in a very plain and
quiet manner. In his rounds through the train Fred stopped at her seat
with a pile of recent novels under his arm and asked her to buy.

"No, thank you," she answered courteously, and Fred observed that her
face was very sa