FlowerStation, N. Y., 9 A.M. 
     Shadowed the tracks three miles westward.  Large, deep, and ragged. 
     Have just met a farmer who says they are not elephant-tracks.  Says
     they are holes where he dug up saplings for shade-trees when ground
     was frozen last winter.  Give me orders how to proceed. 
                         Darley, Detective.

“Aha! a confederate of the thieves!  The thing, grows warm,” said the inspector.

He dictated the following telegram to Darley: 

     Arrest the man and force him to name his pals.  Continue to follow
     the tracks to the Pacific, if necessary. 
                         Chief Blunt.

Next telegram: 

                         Coneypoint, Pa., 8.45 A.M. 
     Gas office broken open here during night and three month; unpaid gas
     bills taken.  Have got a clue and am away. 
                         Murphy, Detective.

“Heavens!” said the inspector; “would he eat gas bills?”

“Through ignorance—­yes; but they cannot support life.  At least, unassisted.”

Now came this exciting telegram: 

                         Ironville, N. Y., 9.30 A.M. 
     Just arrived.  This village in consternation.  Elephant passed
     through here at five this morning.  Some say he went east some say
     west, some north, some south—­but all say they did not wait to
     notice, particularly.  He killed a horse; have secure a piece of it
     for a clue.  Killed it with his trunk; from style of blow, think he
     struck it left-handed.  From position in which horse lies, think
     elephant traveled northward along line Berkley Railway.  Has four
     and a half hours’ start, but I move on his track at once. 
                         Hawes, Detective

I uttered exclamations of joy.  The inspector was as self-contained as a graven image.  He calmly touched his bell.

“Alaric, send Captain Burns here.”

Burns appeared.

“How many men are ready for instant orders?”

“Ninety-six, sir.”

“Send them north at once.  Let them concentrate along the line of the Berkley road north of Ironville.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let them conduct their movements with the utmost secrecy.  As fast as others are at liberty, hold them for orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Go!”

“Yes, sir.”

Presently came another telegram: 

                         SageCorners, N. Y., 10.30. 
     Just arrived.  Elephant passed through here at 8.15.  All escaped
     from the town but a policeman.  Apparently elephant did not strike
     at policeman, but at the lamp-post.  Got both.  I have secured a
     portion of the policeman as clue. 
                         Stumm, Detective.