Indeed the man might have better reason to feel that Ryder had defrauded him. Unintentionally Ryder had substituted himself for White, and had borne off the girl the latter expected to marry, and had made her his wife. The thing to do now was for Ryder to find her, to explain his own course in the matter, and to convince Ruth that she had, after all, married the right man. To start on this quest aright, he felt that he must begin at the Pinewood Inn. There was something at Pinewood that he felt sure would aid him in his search for his bride. She must send for the trunks and then he would obtain her address. Therefore he went back to his hotel with the intention of leaving a call for the early morning train that would take him back to the resort. When he entered the hostelry and approached the desk he was surprised to be told that a lady was waiting for him in one of the hotel parlors. "Been here for some time, sir. Said she would wait till you came in, no matter how late you were. It must be something important, Mr. Ryder," the clerk told him. Ryder's heart leaped for joy. His first thought was that it was Ruth. How she could have found his hotel--what had brought her here--he did not stop to question. He followed the bellboy with eager steps to the parlor where, under a dim light, the woman sat waiting for his return. When John Ryder strode into the room he felt a distinct drop in the temperature of his feelings. This might be a woman that had waited for him, but she was dressed more like a man. A long raincoat wrapped her about, and a felt hat pulled down over her ears disguised her femininity most effectually. "Miss Solomons!" exclaimed Ryder, as the person rose and turned toward him. "That's who 'tis," jerked out the house detective of the Pinewood Inn. "I've been waiting for you, Mr. Ryder." Could it be possible that she had come with some message from Ruth, or information about her? Ryder could not find voice enough in which to ask her. His silence seemed to give Miss Solomons immense satisfaction. Her eyes snapped, and she waved in a commanding way the folded copy of the novel she always carried. "I've got you! I told 'em I'd find you, all right. Can't fool _me_. You'd better come with me, Mr. Ryder. Don't try any capers." "What the---- What do you want of me?" demanded the rapidly disillusioned Ryder. He realized that Miss Solomons could have come on no sentimental mission. "They want you back to Pinewood. You know. You aren't silly enough to refuse to go without extradition papers, are you?" "What--under--the--sun----" "Back up!" exclaimed Miss Solomons. "That don't go. You know well enough what they want you for. That deputy sheriff is a dunce. You got away from _him_; but not from me." "But what have you got to do with the deputy's trouble?" "Say! Don't fool yourself. I'm a properly appointed officer of the State. That deputy fell down on the job, but I told 'em I'd get you. Come!"