It was the famous London detective whom he had employed to hunt down Sydney's dastardly murderer. "What is he doing here in America--in this city?" thought Captain Ernscliffe, in surprise. "Show the gentleman into this room," he said to the man. Mr. Kidder came briskly in a moment after. He was a shrewd-looking little man, well-dressed and gentlemanly. "You are surprised to see me here," he said, after they had exchanged the usual greetings. "Yes," admitted the host. "Do you bring news?" The little man's black eyes sparkled. "The best of news," he answered, blithely. "I have run the game down." "That is indeed the best of news," said his employer, his face lighting up. "But I don't quite understand why you are here, in the United States." "You don't?" said Mr. Kidder, with a good-natured laugh. "Well, I am here because my man is here. I have followed him across the seas." "Is it possible?" exclaimed the listener, with a start. "Yes, it is true. I have had a weary hunt for him, but I have unearthed him at last, thanks to Elsie Gray." "Elsie Gray! Ah, yes, I remember, she was my wife's maid who disappeared so strangely the night of the murder. You say she helped you. Where is she now?" "She crossed the ocean with me. She is here in this city, and will be the chief witness in the prosecution. She witnessed the murder, and recognized the criminal at that moment as a former lover of your present wife. She pursued him, and was on his track when I found her." "It has been almost a year since that dreadful night," said Captain Ernscliffe. "He must have been very clever to evade justice so long." "He was a cunning, accomplished villain," said Mr. Kidder. "I followed him for weary months, but he managed to elude me every time when I began to think I had run him to earth. I lost him altogether for awhile, and then I discovered that he had left the country and sailed for the United States. I at once secured my witness, Elsie Gray, and followed him." "But he may elude you here as he did in Europe," said Captain Ernscliffe, looking disappointed. "It is not at all likely," said Mr. Kidder, laughing, "for I have already had him arrested and lodged in prison. No, do not thank me," he added, as his employer poured out a torrent of praises and thanks. "Rather thank Elsie Gray. But for her indefatigable exertions, and the valuable information she gave me, I might never have succeeded in my undertaking." "She shall have my thanks, and something more substantial beside. The reward shall be doubled, and she shall share it equally." "She has already promised to go shares with me," said the detective, so significantly and demurely that Captain Ernscliffe could not fail to understand his meaning. "So she will marry you?" he said, smiling, and then, gazing curiously at the happy, little man, who was not more than thirty years old, he added: "Pardon me, but you are quite young, and Mrs. Ernscliffe's maid was quite middle-aged, was she not?"