ter thinking
a moment he added, "I will gladly do what I can to help you, Mr. Terry,
and at no cost to you for my own services. The first step must be to get
possession of these material proofs, the next to find what firm has
employed Frye. That will be easier than to get the trinkets, as you call
them, back. We might issue a writ of replevin and search Frye's office,
but then we are not sure of finding them. They are so valuable in the
case that you may be sure Frye has them safe in hiding and will deny
possession. Even if we find who employ him and lay the matter before
them, he will declare us impostors and block us at once. As I said, we
are helpless until we get possession of those proofs."

"Ain't my word an' Lissy's as to savin' the baby no 'count?" asked Uncle
Terry.

"Very good so far as it goes," answered Albert, "but really no proof
that the child you saved is the one wanted for this inheritance. In the
matter of a legacy the law is very exacting and demands absolute proof.
No, the only way is to use duplicity and trick Frye, or ask him to name
his price and pay it, and as the estate may be large, his price will
naturally be extortionate."

Albert thought a moment and then added, "Has Frye ever written you
admitting he has received or has those proofs in his possession?"

"Not a word," answered Uncle Terry; "all he writes is, 'Your case is
progressing favorably. I need so much more money,' an' I send it an' lay
'wake nights worryin'."

"How long since he has sent for money?" asked Albert.

"'Bout a month, I reckon," replied Uncle Terry.

Albert leaned forward, resting his face on both hands and thinking. It
was a hard case to solve, and knowing the manner of man Frye was, and
how nearly impossible it would be to trick him, a past master in all
kinds of duplicity, he was at his wits' end. The more he thought the
matter over, the harder the problem seemed. "We might have you go into
his office with one or two of your neighbors," he said, "to act as
witnesses, and by some question get him to admit he has these articles,
and then bring suit; but I do not think he would say anything before a
third party. We might employ a detective, but Frye is too shrewd to be
caught napping. I confess, Mr. Terry, I am stumped, and can see no way
out of the dilemma." Then he lighted a fresh cigar and gazed
meditatively upon the ocean where the ever-broadening path of moonshine
stretched away. Only a little way out the gro