The detective’s plans were laid with care and he gave the posse of men under him minute instructions as to what to do.  In the midst of the work Raymond and Tom Ostrello appeared.

“Let me go along,” said Raymond.  “I want to do my little towards rounding that gang up.”

“And so do I,” came from the young commercial traveler.

“You may go as far as Styles’ farm, if you wish,” said Adam Adams.  “But why not look for Miss Langmore instead?”

At this Raymond’s face grew troubled.

“We have looked everywhere—­” he began.

“As you please.”

It was not long after this that a portion of the party set out, to be followed presently by the rest.  The men did not keep together, but scattered in a wide semicircle, and then in a circle, which completely surrounded the Styles’ farm, and the old mill, and its vicinity.

As they approached the farm they saw the man called Bart come out, and walk towards the barn.  He was promptly arrested by Adam Adams and was asked where Matlock Styles could be found.

“I don’t know,” he answered sullenly.  “I don’t know why you are arresting me.  I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“We’ll see about that later,” returned the detective, and when the man wanted to blow a whistle he carried, promptly prevented it, and took the whistle away.  Then the man was compelled to quiet the dogs, which he did with bad grace.

In the kitchen of the house they found the old woman, who gave a cry of alarm when told that she must give herself up to the law.

“Sure, I didn’t have anything to do with it!” she wailed.  “I—­I didn’t touch the young lady!”

“What’s that?” cried Raymond, stepping forward.

“I didn’t touch the young lady, sir.  I offered her something to eat, that’s all.”

“Can she mean Margaret?” whispered Tom Ostrello.

“Where did you meet Miss Langmore?” demanded Raymond sharply.

“Up at the old cottage on the hill.  I—­I didn’t take her there.  It was—­” She stopped short.  “I can’t tell you.  Mat would kill me,” she whined.

“See here, tell all you know,” came sternly from Adam Adams.  “I know you.  You once ran a baby farm, and a baby died, and I know how.”

The old woman gave a shriek and fell on her knees, rocking to and fro.

“I knew it!  I knew it would come!  It can’t be hid any longer!  Yes, I did it!”

“Where is Miss Langmore?” demanded Raymond impatiently.

“At the cottage on the hill.  Mat took her there.  He’s in love with her.  Oh, dear!  Oh, dear!” she began to rock to and fro again.  “I knew it would come!  Murder will out, they say!”

“Take us to that cottage and be quick about it,” said Raymond.  “Will you go along?” he asked of Adam Adams and Tom Ostrello.

They said they would, and set off without delay.  It was rather a long walk and the old woman was out of breath when they reached the building near the top of the hill.