that case."

"You are?"

"Yes."

"Well, that is strange."

"It is wonderful," said Du Flore.

The latter was a rising man in the profession. He was a powerful young officer, and, as we have intimated, very brave and ambitious.

"I've a strange story to tell you, Ike," he said.

"We are listeners."

"It is a very strange story."

"So you said, and repeating that fact is not opening up your story."

"Well, you see, in these prosaic days we seldom strike a romance just like the one I am about to relate. You remember a great wedding we had in New York about ten years ago?"

"I don't," answered Ike bluntly.

"Well, the daughter of a very rich man married a German nobleman, and a few years after their marriage they separated. She ran away from him. It is the old story: he and all his relatives felt themselves so much better than the young American girl. They insulted her in the grossest manner—and made her life miserable. She bore it for a long time, but being a full-blooded Yankee woman, beautiful and spirited, she determined to stand it no longer. Her father had been smart enough to secure all her fortune to herself during her life, and one bright morning she just dusted and left the count and his high-bred relatives to pay their own bills. She had done so for years and only received insults and snubs in return."

"It's the fate, I reckon, of most of these rich American girls who are marrying foreigners," suggested Ike.

"Yes, I reckon they could all tell sad tales a year after their marriage. This case, however, is a refreshing one, for in the end the Yankee girl recovered from her blind adoration of rank and came down to a good common-sense view of the full value of money."

"Go on and tell the tale."

"That is the story. She just skipped, and, as I said, left her high-born relatives by marriage to pay their own bills; and now I come to the American end of the strange romance."

CHAPTER IV.

IKE AND JACK LISTEN TO AN ODD NARRATIVE AND WITH THE DETECTIVE LAY PLANS TO MAKE A GRAND CAPTURE.

Du Flore, continuing his narrative, said:

"The lady has a son who some day will be a count if he lives, and she stole her own boy when she ran away, and she has put that lad up in New England with her Yankee relatives, determined that if he lives there will be one count who has had a proper bringing up. She has just returned from a visit to her son. He is thriving finely, but one day while in Boston she saw her husband and believes he saw her, and she fears he means her some harm. She left Boston immediately, and on the train and boat became conscious that a man was dogging her steps. She believes the man to be a confederate of the count, but the story you tell me leads me to determine that the man was merely a common thief, attracted by her jewels and the prospect of a robbery. It was probably his intention to rob her on the road, but she, thinking her husband was on her track, was very careful and cautious. It appears, however, from what you tell me that the men have shadowed her down to her home and have made plans to rob and possibly murder her."

"I reckon," said Ike, "that this is the true solution. The count may show up later on."

"I hope he does," said Jack.

"Why, partner?"

"Well, we'll make his life miserable—make him feel that it is better to be in Germany without a dollar than in New York with a million. We must protect this American woman, that is dead sure."

"Will we? We will, you bet; but now we have those thieves to look after and I have a plan," said Ike.

"What is your plan?"

Ike related his plan. The detective preferred to adopt another course for the capture of the rascals, but he was well aware of Ike's wonderful ability, and for reasons thought it best to let the remarkable youth have his own way.

Later Ike took Du Flore around to show him where the thieves were staying, and as good luck would have it he had a chance to point out one of the rascals.

Later Du Flore called upon the countess, and acting under Ike's orders he let her indulge the idea that her house was to be visited by emissaries of her husband, and she said:

"Then I will flee away."

"Only to be pursued and shadowed again."

"I have managed to keep out of his way for nearly two years."

"That is all right, but we want to put these men out of the way. They are walking right into your power."

"How?"

"We can claim that they are burglars and scare the life out of them almost, and we may scare the whole party—count and all—back to Germany."

"I don't think they mean to do me any harm. The count is not a bad man. He believes, however, that he has a right to the child. He has a legal right, I believe, and I propose to keep the child away from him, at least for the present."

"Then the best plan is to let him go back to Germany."

"I do not understand why these men seek to enter my house."

"They may think you have the child here, or it may be that they are thieves who have learned some facts from the count, and they may intend to rob you. At any rate, I have positive evidence that your house is to be invaded and I wish to place a guard here, and I will be at hand at the proper time. In these days, when so many strange crimes are occurring, it is always better to be on the right side every time."

"I believe you exaggerate the danger, but as I am in your hands for my own protection I will agree to any plan that you may propose."

"I will introduce two remarkable youths into your house. They will be accompanied by an immense hound. I ask you to permit them to do just as they think proper in adopting measures for the capture of two men who I am sure will make an attempt to enter your house. Afterward I will have much to reveal to you, but at present I know I am acting in your best interests and in the interests of your son."

Du Flore explained to the countess how the two youths would enter her house, and then departed.

Along about six o'clock in the evening, a poor-looking old man applied at the door of the house of the countess. He was admitted, and a little later quite a stylish young man also sought an entrance, and a little later still the poor-looking old man and the stylish youth were alone with the countess, who was disposed to ask them a great many questions. The lads were sorely tempted to give the countess a little initiation, but concluded to reserve their didos for the two thieves.

At about eleven o'clock the countess retired to a room on the top floor. She proved very complaisant, doing in all things just as requested, although it was evident that she was a very spirited woman and wondrously handsome, as she was still under thirty.

The two ventriloquists lay around until twelve o'clock, when they entered the bedroom proper of the countess, her vacated room for the occasion, and they went through a very amusing rehearsal with the hound. The lads were both very jubilant, for they were in their element—about to carry out a scheme which was a delight to them.

"The robbers believe they are to have a walk-over," said Jack.

"They will," responded Ike, a twinkle in his eyes; "a walk over to the station house, and then a smooth ride up to Sing Sing Prison."

"Will your man be on hand?"

"If he fails I'll act as his substitute. We are going to capture those robbers, and don't you forget it."

Thus the boys continued to talk until about two o'clock. Both were on the alert, and Ike said:

"We are not to be disappointed, our game is here."

Sure enough, they could see the narrow gleam from a