“I’m glad to see you safe, Mr. Holland,” he said. “There has been great anxiety felt for your safety. I am a detective working on the Vaughan and Marheim cases. I got word to come and look you up as you did not get back to the gardener’s cottage the night before last.” “The snow detained me,” said Geoffrey slowly. “Come in, come in, friend,” said McVay briskly. “You must be cold.” It speaks well for the professional eye that the detective, after studying McVay for an instant, asked: “I did not catch this gentleman’s name. Who is he?” There was a barely perceptible pause. Then Geoffrey answered coolly: “That is the man you are after.” “Are you crazy, Holland?” shouted McVay. “What, the Vaughan burglar? You caught him without assistance?” Envy and admiration struggled on the detective’s countenance. “I must congratulate you, sir.” Geoffrey allowed himself the luxury of a groan. “You needn’t,” he said; “I am no subject for congratulation. I can’t even prosecute him, confound him, for several reasons. We were at school together, and I can take no steps in the matter.” “But I can,” said the detective; “indeed it is my duty to.” “No,” said Geoffrey, “nor can you. This man cannot be sent to prison. Yes, I know, it is compounding a felony. Well, sit down, and we’ll compound it.” “I could not agree to anything of the kind,” said the detective. “I don’t see exactly what you can do about it.” Geoffrey was deliberate and very polite. “For reasons which I can’t explain, but which you would appreciate, leave me no choice. I have to save this man from jail. If you intend to work against me, I shall simply let him escape at once. Don’t draw your revolver, please. I prefer to be the only person with a weapon in my hand. He has made a list of all the things he has stolen, and I shall see that they are returned to their owners at any cost. Will you undertake to get him safely to a mine I own in Mexico? Once there he can’t get away. It is forty-five miles from a railway. If you accomplish this, I will give you ten thousand to make up for the reward you didn’t get,—five thousand down, and five thousand at the end of a year.” “I don’t know what to say,” said the man. “It sounds like a bribe.” “It is,” said Geoffrey coolly. “I never received such a proposition,” returned the man. “That scheme won’t do, Holland,” put in McVay. “Can’t you see it lays you open to blackmail?” “From you?” said Geoffrey. “I had thought of that, but you can’t blackmail me at La Santa Anna, and if you get away and come close enough to blackmail me, I’ll put you in prison without a moment’s hesitation. I shall be in a position by that time to take care of the feelings of the other people concerned.” “You don’t understand me,” answered McVay; “I meant blackmail from this man.”