The Forest of Mystery. Foster James H.
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Название: The Forest of Mystery
Автор: Foster James H.
Издательство: Public Domain
Жанр: Приключения: прочее
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“Here,” he said, handing the book to Mr. Jordan. “The complete list of specimens is here. Each is described carefully. All told, there are five of the most unusual wild creatures imaginable.”
“Only five!” whispered Mr. Holton, appearing suddenly angered. “Why, there were ten in the box that was stolen.”
Almost at once the attorney broached the same matter.
“Five are all you have for sale?” he asked casually. “Why, that is only a small handful, so to speak.”
“Well, ah – ” the stranger hesitated before speaking – “I might be able to secure more for you.”
Mr. Jordan looked up suddenly.
“Is that so?” he asked quietly. “It’s rather surprising that you can have them so readily. Of course” – he laughed to relieve the tension – “you don’t go after them yourself, do you?”
The alleged buyer and seller of specimens faltered for a brief period, but at last looked up.
“These I was able to secure from a collector friend, who went on an expedition merely for the pleasure it afforded him, and not for the advancement of science.”
“Oh, yeah?” whispered Bob to his friends who were hiding like himself. “He got ’em from his ‘collector friend’ like I got ’em off a hot-dog stand.”
“No wise-cracking,” grinned Joe. “You might get me to laughing.”
The next few moments of conversation convinced the youths’ fathers that the man in the adjoining room was the thief. A few descriptions of the specimens, which Mr. Jordan purposely read aloud, were sufficient to convict the stranger in the minds of Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis.
From then, the conversation appeared uninteresting, although Bob and Joe, as well as the naturalists, were anxious to see how the attorney would dispose of the stranger.
“And,” continued Mr. Jordan, “what are you asking for these five specimens?”
“The small sum of a hundred dollars,” was the reply.
Mr. Jordan gasped in astonishment. Only a hundred dollars for what should be worth a great deal more than that!
Meanwhile, in the next room, Joe had decided on a plan of action.
“Now that we are convinced that this man is the thief, we are free to do almost anything,” he began, speaking in a very low whisper.
The others looked at him inquiringly.
“My scheme is this,” Joe continued, “I’ll go out – ”
“If you’re doing anything, I’m in it with you,” interrupted Bob.
“All right, then. We’ll go out to this man’s car. It’s probably parked in front – ”
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