"I thought not. You can see now that Harry Bernard had good reason for warning you to beware of Harper Elliston!"
"I can see it plainly enough," returned the girl. "When will Harry come to Woodburg?"
"I understand how anxious you are," said the boy, with a smile. "Harry is assisting Dyke to ferret out the railroad express crime, and it may be some weeks before he comes to this part of the State. I think he will be satisfied to know that you are true to him. It was his knowledge of Elliston's villainy that induced him to send me to see you with a note of warning."
"I am thankful for his kindness, Mr. Ender."
"Everybody calls me Paul, Miss Darrel."
"And everybody (that is my friends), all call me Nell," returned the girl, with a pleasant little laugh.
"Let it be Nell and Paul then," and the boy joined in her laugh, thus aiding in banishing the shadows of the day. Harry Bernard's youthful messenger soon after departed, promising to call again on the following day, when he might have another message from young Bernard, who was still supposed to be in St. Louis.
In the meantime the angry and discomfited Elliston repaired to the hotel and made hasty preparations for departure.
He left on the first train for Chicago.
It was late in the evening that Mrs. Scarlet, in her den on Clark street, was roused from a nap she was indulging in, with her head against the wall, by a sharp rap at the door.