“And you, sergeant.  I will be pleased to have you, too,” continued Mr. Harrison, turning to the officer.

“You’re kind, Mr. Harrison, but duty calls me elsewhere.  I’ll have to return to the station.  But you’ve forgotten one thing.”

“What?”

“That you can telegraph to New York and have the two men arrested as soon as they arrive.”

“That’s so!  What do you say, Strong?”

I thought for a moment.  It would be the simplest way to do, but would it be the best?

“Don’t you think we had better let them go ahead?” I returned.  “We know exactly where they are going, and by following them up may gain some additional information.”

“I don’t know but what you are right,” replied Mr. Harrison.

“Then, in that case, my duty here is at an end,” said the sergeant.

“I’m very much obliged for the trouble you’ve taken.  Are there any charges to pay?”

“None at all.  Good day.  Hope you will meet with success in the future.”

“Thank you.  If we do, I’ll write you.”

“Now we’ll jump into a cab at once,” said Mr. Harrison, when we were alone.

A minute later we were whirling along in the direction of his mansion.

“I hope you are not taking too much trouble on my account,” I observed.

“I don’t consider it too much,” he replied.  “Even if I had no business of my own to call me to New York I would go along if I thought I would be of service to you.  You saved my little girl’s life, and that debt, as I have told you before, I can never repay you.”

We soon reached Mr. Harrison’s mansion.  Of course Mrs. Harrison was surprised at her husband’s sudden determination, but when the situation was explained to her, she urged him to do his best for me.

The dinner served was the most elegant I had ever eaten, and despite the excited state of mind I was in, I did ample justice to it.  Little Millie was present, and during the progress of the meal we became great friends.

But all good things must come to an end, and an hour later, each with his handbag, we entered the cab and were off.

On the way we stopped at Mr. Harrison’s office, where that gentleman left directions concerning things to be done during his absence.  Evidently he was a thorough business man, and I could not help but wonder what he was worth when I saw him place several hundred dollars in bills in his pocketbook.

Arriving at the depot, we found we had just five minutes to spare.  This Mr. Harrison spent in the purchase of a ticket for himself—­ I had mine—­ and in getting parlor-car seats for both of us.

It was a novelty to me to have such a soft chair to sit in, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

As we rode along, my kind friend questioned me closely about myself, and I ended by giving him my entire history.

“You’ve had rather a hard row to hoe, and no mistake,” he said.  “It is a dreadful thing to have one’s family honor assailed.  Many a man has broken down completely under it.”