Harper Elliston realized that he was baffled for the present. He had never suspected the presence of a weapon on the person of Nell Darrel, else he would have disarmed her at the outset.

After a moment of hesitancy the villain turned and strode from the place. When Nell attempted to follow she was confronted by a solid oak door that Elliston had quickly closed and locked behind him.

With a low moan Nell retreated and sank weak and trembling on the miserable cot, and for the next few minutes gave free rein to her alarm in tears.

In the meantime Elliston hurried above, and confronted Madge Scarlet with a terrible frown on his brow.

"You and that red-headed Professor have played a smart trick on me, old woman, a mighty smart trick; but let me tell you it won't go down for a cent. I don't like it much, neither."

"Eh? I don't understand," said Mrs. Scarlet.

"I'll make you understand," and Elliston advanced angrily upon the woman, and raised his hand.

"Strike if you dare!"

She looked ugly at that moment.

"You're just capable of strikin' a woman," sneered Madge Scarlet.

"I've seen such critters before. G.o.d never meant them for men, however."

Mr. Elliston held his hand. He saw that he had come near making a mistake.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Scarlet," he said in a subdued voice. "I was beside myself, but I had reason to be. Do you know that Nell Darrel is armed?"

"No."

"She IS, nevertheless, with a pistol. She's a perfect tigress, and would as soon shoot me as not. I shall leave it for you to get the weapon from her."

"I can do it easy enough."

"I hope so. To-night I will have more definite plans. I may conclude to take the girl away then."

Mr. Elliston pa.s.sed from the room. He had been gone but a few minutes when another person entered--Nick Brower, the tool and friend of Mrs.

Scarlet and the Professor.

"Well, what's the news, Nick. My nephew is still in durance vile?"

"Yes," answered the low ruffian, "and what's more, d.y.k.e Darrel, the detective, is in Chicago!"

CHAPTER XIX.

THE DETECTIVE FOOLED.

Two men met unexpectedly in one of the hotel corridors of the great city; two hands went out, and

"How are you, Harry?"

"How are you, d.y.k.e, old boy?"

"When did you leave St. Louis?"

This from the detective.

"Not long since. I am confident that our game is in this vicinity. I meant to come down to Woodburg soon, and consult with you. I sent a telegram, but it brought no answer from you."

"I wasn't at home. It was placed in my hands yesterday."

"And that is why you are here?"

"Not wholly."

There was a gloomy look on the face of the detective, not natural to it, and young Bernard knew that something had gone decidedly wrong with his detective friend.

"It is about Nell," said d.y.k.e Darrel, when questioned. "She came to the city last evening, in answer to a letter purporting to come from me. The letter was a decoy from some villain, and I fear that Nell has met with a terrible fate."

A groan came at the last.

Harry Bernard's face blanched, and he, too, seemed excited and deeply moved. The keen eyes of d.y.k.e Darrel noticed the young man's emotion, and he felt a suspicion growing stronger each moment.

"Nell in the city--decoyed!" exclaimed Harry at length. "Great heaven!

d.y.k.e, this is awful!" "It is."

Then the detective laid his hand on the young man's shoulder, and piercing him with a stern look, said in an awful voice:

"Harry Bernard, on your honor as a man, what do you know of this enticing of Nell to the city?"

"What do I know?"

"Yes; what do you know?"

There was a stern ring in the detective's voice, not to be mistaken.

"I know only what you have just told me, d.y.k.e."

"This is the truth?"

"Good heaven! d.y.k.e Darrel, do you imagine that _I_ had aught to do with enticing your sister to this wicked city? My soul! You do not understand the feeling that animates my heart for Nell Darrel. I hope you will not insult me again with a suspicion so haggard and awful."

The hurt look resting on the face of the young amateur detective was sufficient to convince d.y.k.e Darrel that Harry Bernard spoke the truth, and this knowledge only increased his uneasiness.

"I am fearful some terrible ill has befallen Nell," groaned d.y.k.e.

"My friend," said Harry, "we must let all other matters rest until we find the girl. I have a suspicion that may lead to something definite.

Let me tell you now, that during the past year you have warmed a serpent in your bosom in the person of Harper Elliston. I have never, until now, dared make this a.s.sertion in your presence, knowing as I did the great respect you had for the oily-tongued fellow. The time for plain speaking has come, however."