"You might as well go right into jail as do a thing like that," Dan said, angrily. "I ain't so sure but it would have been a good deal better if I had, for by this time the princess would be with her folks, where she belongs." "It seems to me you're terribly stuck on that kid." "Well, what if I am!" and Joe spoke so sharply that Master Fernald did not think it wise to make any reply. During fully a moment the three stood silently in the road looking at each other, and then Joe asked of Master Plummer: "Will you come with me?" The possibility of resting his tired limbs in a regular bed appealed strongly to the fat boy, and, understanding that he was about to agree to Joe's proposition, Dan said, gloomily: "This is what a feller gets for tryin' to help you two out of a scrape. I've kept the detectives away so far, an' now you're goin' to give me the dead shake." "There's no reason why you couldn't stay with us--" "You won't catch me in a house for another month, anyhow." [Illustration: "JOE POINTED TO A TINY COTTAGE."] The argument which followed this announcement was not long, but spirited. Joe explained that it was his intention to remain in that vicinity, and within forty-eight hours to return to Weehawken, according to the promise he had made Mrs. Weber. Dan continued to insist that it was in the highest degree dangerous to loiter there, and professed to believe himself deeply injured, because, after having "taken up the case" in such an energetic fashion, he was probably in danger of arrest through having aided these two supposed criminals. Master Plummer had but little to say; the thought of walking all night was nearly as painful as that of being imprisoned, and he was willing to throw all the responsibility of a decision upon his friend. Before ten minutes had passed, the matter was settled,--not satisfactorily to all concerned, but as nearly so as could have been expected. Joe and Plums were to call at the cottage with the hope of finding temporary employment, and the amateur detective was to conceal himself in the vicinity as best he might, until he should be able to learn something definite regarding the purpose of the lawyers who had advertised. When Joe, followed by Master Plummer, turned from the highway into the lane which led to the cottage, the amateur detective scrambled over the fence on the opposite side of the road, and scurried through the field as if believing he was hotly pursued. Not until they had arrived nearly at the house did Master Plummer make any remark, and then he said, with a long-drawn sigh: "Dan Fernald makes too much work out of his detective business to suit me. I couldn't walk all night if it was to save me life."