“A detective story.  And say! it’s a swell one, let me tell you!”

“Oh, mah good Lord!” ejaculated Shag.  “Dat’s de wustest ever!” and he doubled up with silent mirth.

“Why, what’s the matter with that?” asked the boy.  “I’ve seen heaps of men read detective stories.  Judge Dolan—­he rides on my train a lot—­and he’s always askin’ what I got new in detective stuff.”

“Um, yep!  Well, dat may be all right fo’ Judge Dolan,” went on Shag, slowly recovering from his fit of chuckling, “but mah marster don’t want none of dat kind of readin’.”

“Why?” asked the boy.

Shag’s answer was given in a peculiar manner.  He looked around carefully, and saw that the strange man had moved on and they were alone.  Then, leaning toward the newsboy and whispering, the negro said: 

“My marster, Colonel Brentnall—­dat ain’t his real name, but it’s de one he goes by sometimes—­he don’t care fo’ no detective stories ’cause he done make his livin’ an’ mine too, at detectin’.  He says he don’t ever want t’ read ’em, ’cause dey ain’t at all like whut happens.  De colonel was one of de biggest private detectives in de United States, boy!  He’s sorter retired now, but still he’s chock full of crimes, murder an’ stuff laik dat, an’ dat’s why he done sent yo’ away sorter rough-laik.”

“You say he’s a private detective?” asked the boy, his eyes opening wide.

“Dat’s whut he is.”

“And his name is Colonel Brentnall?”

“Well, honey, dat ain’t his real name.  He don’t laik t’ use dat promiscuious laik, ‘cause so many folks bodder him.  If I was t’ tell yo’ his real name yo’d open yo’ eyes wider yet.  But take it from me,” went on Shag, “he don’t need no books t’ make excitin’ readin’ fo’ him!  He’s been froo it fo’ yeahs!”

“Sufferin’ tadpoles!” murmured the boy.  “And to think I was offering him a detective yarn!  Say, no wonder he flew at me!”

“He didn’t mean nothin’,” said Shag, still chuckling as he thought of the scene.  “It’s jest his way.”

The train rumbled on through the early night, and in his comfortable chair Colonel Ashley read his Walton, the ingratiating humor of the dear, old fisherman gradually dispelling all other thoughts.

Colonel Ashley at this stage of his career, was almost an international figure.  Having served with distinction in the Spanish-American war, among his exploits being the capture of a number of spies in a sensational manner, he had become the head of the police department in a large city in the East.

He had continued the work begun in the army—­a branch of the secret service—­and had built up the city’s detective department in an almost marvelous manner, he himself being one of its keenest sleuths.  Desiring more time to devote to the detection of crimes of other than ordinary interest, and realizing that the routine of police work was too hampering for him, the colonel had opened an office