“Was the name of the friend mentioned?”

“I think not, sir.  The woman cautioned Mary against opening the package, stating in explanation that she wished me to be the first to see what it contained.”

“These are the facts which Mary Barton told to Harry Boyden, are they?” demanded Nick, with an ominous ring stealing into his voice.

“Yes, sir, they are.”

“And the statements which Boyden, in turn, made to the officer by whom he was arrested at your home?”

“That is right, sir.  I heard them from Harry’s own lips.”

“Did Mary Barton have any idea of the identity of the woman from whom she received the package?”

“I think not, sir.  She told Harry that the woman was veiled, and that she could not see her face.  The incident seemed so strange, sir, that Mary gave Harry Boyden all of these particulars.”

“Did she describe the strange woman, her form or her attire?”

“I think she stated that the woman was plainly clad.  Nothing more definite that I know of.”

“In fact, Miss Page, you have now told me all that you know about the case, haven’t you?”

“Really, sir, I think I have,” admitted Violet, with a look of anxious appeal.

Nick drew out his watch and glanced quickly at it.

“Ring for a carriage, Chick,” said he abruptly.  “We have no time to lose.”

“I’ll call one at once,” nodded Chick, as he sprang up and hastened from the room.

“Am I to depart now, Detective Carter?” asked Violet, beginning to tremble.  “Oh, sir, will you not give me some word of encouragement before I go?  I am sure that Harry Boyden never committed—­”

“Hush!” interposed Nick, rising and taking her kindly by the hand.

“I cannot at present tell you, Miss Page, what I think of this case.  I will say this, however, if Harry Boyden is, as you so firmly believe, innocent of this crime, I will not rest until I have proved him guiltless.”

“Oh, Detective Carter, how am I to thank you?” cried the girl, with her tearful eyes raised to Nick’s kindly face.

“By not trying to do so,” said he, smiling.  “And by carefully following a few directions which I shall now give you.”

“I will follow them to the very letter, sir,” cried the grateful girl.

“First, then, go home and borrow no further trouble about young Boyden,” said Nick, impressively.  “Second, disclose to no person that you have called upon me, or that I have any interest in the case.  Third, say nothing about the jewel casket, and display no personal knowledge of the affair.  Fourth, do not come here again unless I send for you.  And, finally, rest assured that I will do all in my power to have young Boyden at liberty as soon as possible.  To remain in custody a short time, however, will not seriously harm him, and in a way it may do me some service.  Can you remember all that?”

“Indeed I can, sir; and I will obey you in all!” cried Violet, with much feeling.