“That’s easily accomplished. I will write you a note which will place all the deputies in that vicinity directly under your charge.” “After the arrest--if one is made--I want the prisoner hustled away and lodged in jail without any fuss being made over it.” “In other words, you don’t want the people around there to know that an arrest has been made.” “That’s it exactly.” The sheriff wrote busily for some moments, and then handed the detective a slip of paper, which he had placed into an unsealed envelope. “There you are,” he said. “Show that to any man you see wearing my badge and your orders will be promptly obeyed.” Thanking the sheriff for his assistance, Nick hastened away. At dusk that night a carriage drove slowly along in front of the road house. A few yards from the front of the house a young boy in a jockey uniform was standing. “Here you are, boy,” called a voice from the carriage. “Jump in quick.” The boy sprang nimbly into the vehicle. As he took his seat he glanced hastily at the only other occupant, and started back in alarm. “You’re looking for the dude who saved you a thrashing this morning?” “Yes, sir. Did he send you?” “Yes,” said Nick, nodding to the driver to proceed. “Are you employed at the stable where Denver Bay is kept?” “Yes, sir.” “Well, I want to sleep there to-night.” The boy glanced keenly at the coarse and ill-fitting garments of the pretended countryman who sat on the seat beside him, and asked: “Ain’t you got no other place to stay?” “Never mind that. I have taken a notion to sleep in the stable to-night.” “You don’t mean no harm?” “Not a bit, my boy.” “Well, I guess I can slide you in, but there’d be an awful racket if they should find out.” “I’ll take all the chances on the racket.” “Be you the duffer what give the man a whippin’ this mornin’?” “Do I look like him?” “Not a bit.” “Well, I’m the same man, and if I did you a favor to-day you must do me one to-night.” “Ain’t I goin’ to let you into the stables?” “You must do more than that.” “What is it?” “You must never say a word about my being in there--never speak or hint of it to a living soul.” “You bet I won’t if you don’t want me to.” “Does any one watch the stables at night?” “Oh, dere’s folks around dere, but dey don’t watch very close.” “Is any one supposed to sleep anywhere near Denver Bay?” “No, sir--not very near.” “What time can you let me in?” “You come to the big doors about ten o’clock. Den if any one sees you dey’ll think you’re one of de men working around there.” “That’s just the thing. When I get in point out Denver Bay’s stall, and go away as if nothing had happened.” “Is de Bay goin’ to win de race to-morrow?” “I hope so.” “I hope so, too. He’s a dandy horse.” After some further conversation the detective let the boy out of the carriage, and a few moments later left it himself.