"Why, Colonel Ashley is one of the greatest detectives in the United
States--at least, he used to be. He must be pretty old now."

"I know he is--but not too old to take hold. Now when he comes--"

"But, Amy, my dear! You can't get _him_! Why, he's not only one of
the highest-priced detectives in the country, but he's retired I've
read, and I doubt if he'd take a case--"

"He's going to take _your_ case, Jimmie boy!" and Amy smiled.

"But how--how--"

"I think we'll have to give Miss Mason credit for a whole lot in this
matter," broke in Kenneth. "She surprised me when she told me. And I
want to say that when the colonel gets going we'll have you out of here
in short order, Mr. Darcy!"

"But I don't understand--"

"That's what I came to tell you about, Jimmie boy! Now just keep quiet
and listen!"

Thereupon Amy went on to relate all that had happened when she sought
out the fisherman at the trout brook--how she had been cared for by him
and Shag after her faint, and how, after some persuasion, the great
detective had agreed to take up the matter of seeking out the real
murderer of Mrs. Darcy.

"He came here under a different name," Amy continued, "for he did not