said
the bartender. "He seemed to be in a hurry to catch a train."

"How do you know?"

"Well, he asked me what time the train for Savannah left, and as I told
him he only had a few moments to catch it, he hurried out."

Harry thanked the man and left.

"The villain is heading for the South again!" flashed across the boy's
mind. "I'll see if I can verify this idea."

He went over to the railroad ticket office and closely questioned the
agent, who admitted that a man such as the detective described had
bought a ticket for Swamp Angel and gone.

Young King Brady was puzzled over Mason's actions.

He could not understand why the man was running away from New York so
soon after the incident at Dalton's house.

"It looks as if he had a guilty conscience and feared exposure,"
muttered the boy, as he made his way home.

Old King Brady was there ahead of him and Harry told him about Mason's
flight to the South.

It made the old detective laugh.

"Guess we've frightened him," he remarked.

The Bradys remained up late that night discussing their plans.

On the following morning a letter reached them from Mason, worded in
the following manner:

"Messrs. Brady: By the time this reaches you I shall be so far from
New York that you'll never catch me. I know very well that you are
going to find out that Dalton's will is a forgery. If I remain
you'll put the screws on me. So I'll baffle you by going in good
season. Moreover, you will find out later in the day that all the
funds in Dalton's business are missing. I've got the stuff, as I
need it to get away. If the time ever comes for me to get even with
you for all the trouble you've caused me, I'll make you pay dearly
for your accursed interference.

"Ronald Mason."

"So he's gone," said Harry.

"In good season."

"And he left a black record behind him."

"We probably haven't heard the worst yet, Harry."

"Let's go to the office and see how much he stole."

Old King Brady was eager for the facts, and they passed out together.

In half an hour they reached Dalton's office and found a policeman in
charge, all the clerks frantic with alarm, and the safe open.

"There's been a robbery here," said the policeman to the detectives.

"How much was taken?" asked Harry.

"Thirty thousand dollars in cash and bonds."

"Well, we know who did the job. The clerks must go, and we must