"Now, that isn't the way to talk, especially when I have come to bring
you good news."

"Good news? You mean your father--"

"Oh, it isn't about dad! I told you he was as firm a believer in you
as I am--that he said he'd 'go the limit,' if you know what that means,
to get you free. Jimmie boy, when dad likes a person he likes him!"

"I hope his daughter does the same."

"Don't you know--_Jimmie_ boy?"

The warden, the detective, the keeper and the lawyer--all now seemed
interested in that prosaic calendar.

Amy had had but little chance to speak to Darcy since, his arrest. In
police headquarters he was kept in seclusion except as to his lawyer,
and events had followed one another so rapidly that there had been no
other opportunity until now, though the girl had sent him a hasty note
in which she said she knew he was innocent and that everything possible
was being done for him.

"And now, Jimmie, for the good news. I have engaged the best detective
in this country for you," and she beckoned to the lawyer to come
forward.

"The best detective?"

"Yes. You need one as well as a lawyer. They're going to work
together--aren't you, Mr. Kenneth?"

"Indeed a detective can help us best at this stage of the game, I
think, Mr. Darcy," was the lawyer's answer. "I can look after the
court proceedings, when it comes time for them, but what we want most
is evidence tending to show that some one else, and not you, committed
this crime."

"As, most assuredly was the case!" and for the first time in days
Darcy's voice had its old ring and vigor in it.

"Of course, Jimmie boy," murmured Amy. "Now let me tell you all about
it. They say I can't stay very long, so I'll have to talk fast, and
you must listen--mostly. Now what do you say to--Colonel Ashley?" and
Amy looked triumphantly at her lover.

"Colonel Ashley?"

"Yes. As the detective who is going to help prove you innocent by
discovering the real--ugh! I hate to say it--_murderer_?"

"Why, Colonel Ashley is one of the greatest detectives in the United
States--at least, he used to be. He must be pretty old now."

"I know he is--but not too old to take hold. Now when he comes--"

"But, Amy, my dear! You can't get _him_! Why, he's not only one of
the highest-priced detectives in the country, but he's retired I've
read, and I doubt if he'd take a case--"

"He's going to take _your_ case, Jimmie boy!" and Amy smiled.

"But how--how--"

"I think we'll have to give Miss Mason credit for a whole lot in this
matter," broke in Kenneth. "She surprised me when she told me. And I
want to say that when the colonel gets going we'll have you out of here
in short order, Mr. Darcy!"

"But I don't understand--"

"That's what I came to tell you about, Jimmie boy! Now just keep quiet
and listen!"

Thereupon Amy went on to relate all that had happened when she sought
out the fisherman at the trout brook--how she had been cared for by him
and Shag after her faint, and how, after some persuasion, the great
detective had agreed to take up the matter of seeking out the real
murderer of Mrs. Darcy.

"He came here under a different name," Amy continued, "for he did not
want to be bothered with work. But Tom--he's the little jockey dad got
a place for as train-boy--met him on the express and learned that the
colonel was the great detective. Then Tom came and told me when he
read of your--of your--"

"Oh, say _arrest_, Amy! I'm getting hardened to it by now."

"Well, then, your--arrest. I hate the word! Tom came and told me and
said we must get Colonel Brentnall at once. That was the name he used,
but, now he has consented to take your case, he's Colonel Ashley again."

"And what am I to do, Amy?"

"Just what he tells you--nothing more or less. Tell him everything
from the beginning to the end. All about your quarrel with Mrs.
Darcy--I read in the papers you had one. Was that so?"

"Yes, and, I am sorry to say, it was partly about you."



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