The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-04


looked for some written memoranda
Of the object Of their search.
l knew well that they had found
nothing among the clothing or papers
that Henry had left behind. I had
searched through these myself, and
the sole document that could bear on
the mystery was at that moment fast
in my inside pocket. was inclined to
scout the idea that Henry Wilton had
hidden anything under the carpet or
In the mattress, or in any secret place
The threads of the mystery were car
ried in his head and the correspond
ence, if there had been any, was de
stroyed
As / was engaged in putting the
room to rights the door swung back,
and I jumped TO my feet TO face a
man who stood on the threshold.
"Hello!" he cried. housekeeping
again."
1t was Dicky Nahl and he paused
with a smile on his face.
"Ah. Dicky!" l said with an effort
TO keep out of my face and voice the
suspicious | had gained from the in
cidents of the visit to the Borton
place. Entirely unpremeditated, l as
sure you
well, you're making a thorough
lob Of It," he said with laugh.
Fact Is" said I ruefully, I've been
entertaining angels-of the black kind
-unawares. l was from home last
night, and l find that somebody has
made himself free with my property
while l was away"
'Whew!" whistled Dicky. Guess
they were after you"
gave Dicky a sidelong glance in
vain effort to catch more of his mean
ing than was conveyed by his words.
Shouldn't be surprised" 1 replied
dryly picking up an armful of books.
I'D expect them to be looking for me
in the bookshelf or inside the mat.
tress-cover, or under the carpet"
Dickly laughed joyously.
We'll, they did rather turn things
upside down" he chuckled Did they
get anything?" And he fell to helping
me zealously.
Not that 1 can find out" I replied.
Nothing of value, anyhow"
Not any paper, or anything of that
sort?" asked Dicky anxiously.
"Dicky, my boy said 1 there are
two kinds Of fools The other is the
man who writes his business on a
sheet of paper and forgets to burn It,"
Dicky grinned merrily.
Cad. you're getting turn for cpl
gram! You'll be writing for the Argo-
naut first we know"
Well, you'll allow me a shade OF
common sense, won't you?"
Il don't know" said Dicky. consid.
ering the proposition doubtfully 1T
might have been awkward if you had
left anything lying about. But If you
had real good sense you'd have had
the guards here. What are you pay
ing them for, anyhow"
| saw difficulties in the way of ex
planning to Dtclxy why I had not or
dered the guards on duty.
"Oh. by the way" said Dicky sud
denly. before a suitable reply had
come to me; how about the scads-
spondulicks-you know? Yesterday
was payday, but you didn't show up
l don't know whether my jaw
dropped or not. My spirits certainly
did
by Jove. Dicky!" l exclaimed
catching my breath. 1T slipped ny
mind. clear. l haven't got at our
ahem-banker, either"
l saw now what that mysteriou!
money was for-or a part of it, at al
events. What l did not see was how
was to get it, and how to pay it Il
my men.
That's rough" said Dicky sympa
thetically I'm dead broke
1t would appear then that Dick!
looked to me for pay, whether or no
he felt bound to me in service.
There's one thing I'd like explained
before a settlement" said l grizzly q
| trajghtened out the carpet; an,
that is the little performance for d,
benefit the other night
Dicky cooked his head on one side
and gave me an uneasy glance
Explanation? he said in affecte,
surprise
Yes. said I sternly. 1T locke
: like plant. was within one of SCI
ting a knife in me.
: What became Of your" inquire
Dicky. We looked around for you TO
an hour, and were afraid you had bee
( carried OF
. That's all right. Dicky," l said. .
| know how I got out. What I want t
know is how got in-taken in"
: Il don't know" said Dicky anxious
ly. 4 was regularly fooled, myself.
: thought they were fishermen, all rigt
| enough. and | never thought that TIE
: rill had the nerve to come in there.
, was fooled by his disguise. and /
gave the word and I thought sure thu
Richmond had sent him" Dicky ha
dropped all banter and was speakin
: with the tone Of sincerity.