only one."

"But you are the one from New York?"

"I am though I don't know how you guessed it. I am not here
professionally, though--in fact, I've practically retired--and I would
much prefer--"

"But you wouldn't refuse to help any one who needed it, would you? You
wouldn't, I'm sure!" and the girl smiled through the tears in her blue
eyes.

"Oh, of course, as a matter of humanity, I would not refuse to help any
one. But, professionally--well, really, I'm not here in my detective
role. I really can not consider anything at this time. I don't want
to seem harsh, or impolite, but I can't--"

"Not even for double your usual fee? Listen! I am prepared to pay
well for anything you can do for me--and him. My father is well off.
I have money in my own right. I'd spend the last dollar of that. And
dad said, when I told him where I was going--Dad said he'd do the
same. We both believe Jimmie is innocent, and we want to prove it to
everybody as soon as we can. That's why I came right on to see you. I
couldn't wait! Oh, perhaps I did wrong, coming this way--I'm sorry if
I've spoiled your fishing. But this is such--such a _big_ thing--it
means so much to him--to me! I--I--"

She faltered, looking from Shag to the colonel and then to the
sympathetic colored man again, for on his face was a look of pity.