"Where did you get your information?" "It doesn't matter." "You'd better go slow, officer. Look at that, and tell me what you think of it?" Turning back the lap of his coat Dyke Darrel revealed a glittering silver star, and below this a flaming eye on a dark background. "A Pinkerton detective!" exclaimed the second officer. "I am a detective, and know my business without receiving instructions from the police of a one-horse town," retorted Dyke Darrel in anger. "I am willing, however, to visit your chief, who will confirm my words." "We had orders from him to arrest you." "Very good. I demand that you take me before him." After a short consultation the two officers concluded to gratify their prisoner, and, without attempting to handcuff him, they conducted him from the depot to the police station. As luck would have it, the chief was in, and at once recognized and greeted Dyke Darrel. Explanations soon followed. "You must not blame my men," said the chief, "for word was sent from an interior town in Illinois stating that a notorious crook was on the train, and would stop at Burlington. A description was given that tallied with yours, and so the mistake was made." "Do you know who sent the dispatch?" "A sheriff, I think." "Just accommodate me with the name of the town, please." Dyke Darrel was deeply excited at this last attempt to deprive him of his liberty. The officer referred to the dispatch and read the name of the place from whence it originated. "Woodburg!" Dyke Darrel uttered the name in wonder. "I don't understand it," he said; "that is my own home, and I am too well known there to merit suspicion. It must have been meant for a practical joke," and the detective's thoughts were turned to Harper Elliston. "It might be, of course," admitted the chief of Burlington police, "but it is a joke that I shouldn't relish, and you might make it warm for the perpetrator. I can telegraph and inquire into it if you wish, Mr. Darrel." "Not now. I shall be in Woodburg within a few days, and then I will find out all about it." Dyke Darrel repaired at once to the home of Captain Osborne, which was occupied by relatives of the Captain, and informed them of the sad fate that had overtaken Sibyl Osborne. An aunt and cousin, the latter a young man of prominence, were the relatives mentioned. The cousin promised to attend the remains, after listening to the strange story Dyke Darrel had to tell. Sibyl had left home ten days before, pretending to go on a visit to friends. When she left it was not suspected that she was out of her mind, consequently the news was all the more sad. From Burlington the railroad detective returned to Black Hollow, and from there he went to St. Louis to consult with Harry Bernard. Here he was met with the announcement that his young friend had taken the train for Chicago some days before. This was an annoying state of affairs indeed.