He was evidently pleased at the condition of the woman's feelings. "I am glad to find you in this condition, Madam," he said, after a brief pause. "I am here to tell you how you can be revenged, if I mistake not the object on whom your hatred rests. "It's that infernal Dyke Darrel." "I knew it. You would smile and feel happy to see him suffer?" "It would be as beefsteak to a starving man," said the woman, savagely. "Then listen. He has a most charming sister living in one of the interior towns of the State. She is the only relative he has in the wide world. You can strike the railroad detective through Nell Darrel." "Yes, yes--go on." "He is away most of his time, as you doubtless know----" "And the girl is alone?" "Save for an old negress. Don't interrupt me, please, until I tell you the exact situation. One of my acquaintances, a gentleman of means, and a mean gentleman, for that matter, wishes to get this girl into his possession. What object he may have does not matter, so long as he is willing to pay big for the work. All that is required of you, Mrs. Scarlet, is to furnish a room, and see that when once inside, Miss Darrel does not escape nor communicate with the outside world. Do you understand?" "I do." "And you will consent to act as this girl's keeper for a time?" "Yes, yes," cried the woman, with eager emphasis, and then a low, half-suppressed sneeze startled them both. Professor Darlington Ruggles sprang up and looked toward the door. It stood ajar, and through the opening peered a masked face, centered with a pair of glittering eyes. Uttering a mad cry, Ruggles drew a concealed revolver and, leveling at the head, fired. CHAPTER XVI. NELL MISSING. The reader can imagine the indignation of the railroad detective when he found himself arrested by the Burlington officer. "I beg your pardon, sir," said Dyke Darrel, "but you are making a foolish mistake. I am a detective----" "That won't go down. If you attempt to escape I will blow out your brains," returned the officer, still holding his cocked weapon to the head of Dyke Darrel. The detective was deeply annoyed at this. On board the train were the remains of the daughter of one of Burlington's most prominent citizens, and Dyke was extremely anxious to meet the friends and explain the situation. "You may take me at once to the chief of police," said Dyke Darrel, at length. "I can explain to him, since he knows me." Another officer approached, and the first one requested him to handcuff his prisoner. A hot flush of anger shot to the cheek of the detective. "This is going too far," he said in a vexed tone. "If you attempt to put the irons on me, I'll make you trouble. I tell you I am acquainted with your chief, and demand that you take me to him." "That's fair enough," said the second officer. "But he's a dangerous character," persisted the first. "Whom do you take me for," Dyke demanded indignantly. "Slim Steve, the train robber."