fast in the American
House on Tuesday morning.

This was the day Phil and Dave were in Pittsfield, it will be recalled.
"And I'll bet we've done more than they have," said Paul, referring to
the absent ones. He was thinking of the man in the town jail and of
Billy's talk with that untractable person.

"I did think we had made quite a start," said Billy, droopingly. "But
what's come of it? Nothing!"

"Cheer up, cheer up!" chirped Jones blithely. "We'll get busy again
to-day. Hurry up, too! These pancakes are made out of old burlap. I know
they are! I used to think it was perfectly grand to eat in hotels and so
forth but, golly! wouldn't some fodder from home taste good right now?
Honestly, I'm getting tired of burlap pancakes, puree of shavin' soap,
pincushions a la hay, fried towels and all the other strange things you
get under strange names in these places. I----"

But Billy said, "If we're going to get busy, let's do it," and promptly
he led the way out to the office. "Better see Mr. Fobes, hadn't we?" he
suggested.

Just why Worth wanted to see the police officer he possibly did not
know, beyond the slight chance that the man in the lockup may have had
something to say to him. Yet it did happen that while the two sought
Chief Fobes, the latter was seeking them. They met in front of the bank.

"Our fellow in the cooler has been asking for you. He may let go of
something yet if you go at him easy." These words, addressed
particularly to Billy, took the pair to the jail quite bubbling with
expectancy. They fully believed the prisoner knew something of their
car--believed it regardless of Willie Creek's mild protest that the man
was fooling them.

Again Chief Fobes escorted Worth through the dim corridor to the
somewhat lighter basement cells. A window in the rear of the building
was open, looking out upon a yard with trees and shrubbery. The prisoner
was apparently enjoying the breeze that drifted in.

"Can't I talk to the kid a second, boss?"

The one behind the bars having spoken thus, though he still turned his
face toward the corridor window, Chief Fobes motioned Billy forward
while he stepped back a few paces.

"Say, bub, did ye see that guy? Did ye tell 'im?"

For a fraction of time Worth did not understand. Then recalling more
clearly the chance remark about "Smith" at the hotel, he answered, "No."

"Didn't, eh? Why didn't ye?"

"You got mad yesterday and wouldn't talk sense or anything else. Why