The Missing Tin Box: or, The Stolen Railroad Bonds. Stratemeyer Edward

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      "How would the boy know that?" asked Hardwick, nervously. "He says he hardly glanced at the man."

      "Answer me," said Parker, paying no attention to the interruption.

      Hal was doing his best to think. Had that fellow really had something the matter with his left eye?

      "I – I can't really say," he returned, slowly. "Was it the left eye?"

      "Yes."

      "He might have had. It runs in my mind so, but I am not positive."

      Parker exchanged glances with his companion.

      "More than likely he was the guilty party," he said to Mr. Sumner. "If he is the man we imagine, he is an old offender, and it will not be a very difficult matter to run him down."

      "If you recover the bonds I will give you five thousand dollars as a reward," said the elderly broker.

      "We will do what we can, Mr. Sumner."

      "The quicker you get to work the better it will suit me."

      "We shall start on our hunt at once, eh, Hamington?"

      "Certainly. But let us take a look around the office first. And, Mr. Sumner?"

      "Well?"

      "It might be just as well to keep this matter a secret for a few days. Of course, information will be sent out from headquarters, but the general public need not know of it."

      "That will suit me," returned the elderly broker, with a groan. "If the word gets out it will all but ruin me. I only held the bonds in trust, and will be expected to make the loss good in case they are not recovered."

      "You will give us a list of the paper?"

      "Certainly." Mr. Sumner took out a memorandum book. "Here you are. Anything else?"

      "We will take a look around the premises."

      And the two detectives started on a tour of investigation, in which Hal took a lively interest.

      The door to the safe was carefully examined. Not a mark was found upon it.

      "Either left open or opened by some one who had the combination," said Parker.

      He got down on his knees and examined the carpet.

      "Anything?" asked Hamington, briefly.

      Parker shook his head.

      In the rear of the office was a window opening upon a narrow court. The two detectives glanced at the fastening of the window.

      Suddenly Parker gave a cry.

      "This fastening was forced not long ago."

      "How do you know?" asked Mr. Sumner, while Hal pricked up his ears.

      "Here are the marks made by a knife blade. They are quite fresh."

      "Here are the marks of foot-prints upon the window-sill," added Hamington. "See, they lead toward that door yonder. Where does that door lead to?"

      "An alley-way," replied Mr. Allen.

      "Opening on the next street?"

      "Yes."

      "Then these marks add a new feature to the case," said Parker. "Has anybody been through the window to your knowledge?"

      Every one shook his head.

      "Queer," said Mr. Sumner. "If the thief came through the window how did he know the combination of the safe?"

      "I have it," said Hamington. "You often opened the safe during the daytime, did you not?"

      "Yes."

      "Then the would-be thief watched you from the window. By looking from the left side he could easily see you work the combination without being seen himself. He watched you until he was sure he had the combination down fine, and last night he opened the window, stepped inside, opened the safe and took out the tin box, closed the door again, and escaped as he had come."

      CHAPTER VI.

      A BLOW IN THE DARK

      Was Hamington's explanation the correct one?

      "By Jove! I believe that's the straight of it!" exclaimed Hardwick.

      "So do I," said Mr. Allen. "It is the only way to account for the marks on the window-frame and the sash."

      Mr. Sumner said nothing. Indeed, to tell the truth, his loss had set his mind in a whirl.

      Parker turned to Hal.

      "Did you open the office this morning?" he asked.

      "Yes, sir."

      "You opened the window when you cleaned up?"

      "Yes."

      "Was it locked?"

      Hal tried to think.

      "I believe it was."

      "You are not sure?"

      "No, sir."

      "He ought to be," broke in Mr. Allen. "I would know, if I was in his place."

      "See, if you cannot think, Hal," said Mr. Sumner.

      "If anything, I think the window was locked," said the youth, candidly.

      "You do?" said Parker.

      "Yes, for I believe I had some trouble to unfasten it."

      The two detectives looked at each other.

      "If that is so, it alters the case," said Hamington. "But I believe the boy is mistaken."

      "So do I," added Hardwick, promptly.

      Parker opened the window again, and leaping out, made his way to the alley. Hamington went after him. Then several customers came in, and Mr. Allen and Hardwick went forward to wait upon them.

      It was a quarter of an hour before the detectives came back, and then they had very little to say, excepting that they would report the particulars at headquarters and endeavor to run down the criminal.

      Mr. Sumner was broken down by his loss. He sat in his private office nearly all of the remainder of the day, his head resting in his hands. Mr. Allen went off on business, and Hardwick stuck to his books as if his life depended on it.

      Hal resumed his duties with a heavy weight on his heart. For some reason he had expected to be discharged, but nothing was said about his leaving.

      Hardwick scowled at the youth every time their eyes met, and kept piling the work upon Hal. The book-keeper was nervous, and the youth did not fail to notice this, and it set him to thinking.

      If only he had listened more attentively to what had been said on the ferry-boat that night! Hal was sure if he СКАЧАТЬ