"You think," said Mr. Barnes, "that the thief might have simply handed the satchel and jewelry to a confederate at a station decided upon in advance." "Bravo! Mr. Barnes," said Dora, "You _are_ a great detective. You have won your wager. That is what is written here." "I owe you a dinner Mr. Barnes, and it shall be a good one," said Mr. Mitchel. "Would Mr. Barnes like to win another?" asked the Frenchman with slow distinctness. "I would," said the detective sharply. "Then I will wager with you, that if you ever clear up the mystery, you will be obliged to admit that none of the theories advanced is the correct one." "I cannot accept that bet," said Mr. Barnes slowly, "because I am sure that we have not mentioned the true method adopted." "Ah! You have another theory," Mr. Thauret almost sneered. "I have and it is the correct one," retorted Mr. Barnes, "but I prefer not to disclose it." "I think you are quite right, Mr. Barnes," said Emily. "In fact, knowing you by reputation as a man of great shrewdness, I have not thought that you were telling us your true ideas. It would have been foolish to do so." "Perhaps, though sometimes what seems foolish, may be wise." "Quite true. And now gentlemen, I regret the necessity of dismissing you, but I have a ball on hand for to-night, and must beg you to excuse us, that we may prepare for it. You know in the fashionable world we train for a ball, as athletes do for their sports. You will forgive my sending you away?" This was her way and men never resented it. They simply obeyed. Mr. Barnes was delighted that both the other men would leave with him. He had prepared a trap for Mr. Mitchel, but now he would entice two birds into it. CHAPTER VI. MR. BARNES'S TRAP. It must not be supposed from what has been related, that Mr. Barnes had lost any of his old time skill. That he did not yet quite understand the case upon which he was working, is little to be wondered at when it is remembered that less than two days had elapsed since the robbery had occurred, and that a great part of this time he had necessarily been absent from the city upon another case.