"I don't see how you can blame me," mumbled the chief. "None of us was
familiar with your looks, and he showed us his star of authority, and
went to work in a business-like way--By George! and he has run away
with my horse and carriage!"--starting from his chair.

"Never mind the horse. You'll find it safe at the railway station,"
snarled Haggerty. "Now, then, tell me everything that has happened,
from beginning to end."

And the chief recounted the adventure briefly. Haggerty looked coldly
at me and shrugged his broad shoulders. As for the girl, he never gave
her so much as a single glance. He knew a gentlewoman without looking
at her twice.

"Humph! Isn't he a clever one, though?" cried Haggerty, in a burst of
admiration. "Clever is no name for it. I'd give a year of my life to
come face to face with him. It would be an interesting encounter.
Hunted him for weeks, and to-day laid eyes on him for the first time.
Had my clumsy paws on him this very afternoon. He seemed so willing to
be locked up that I grew careless. Biff! and he and his accomplice, an
erstwhile valet, had me trussed like a chicken and bundled into the
clothes-press. Took my star, credentials, playing-card, and
invitation. It was near eleven o'clock when I roused the housekeeper.
I telegraphed two hours ago."