e, a thief should enter
the house? You are confined to the bed by rheumatism. What resistance
could you make?'

"'But that is very improbable,' I persisted.

"'I don't know about that. This is a lonely cottage, and might be
entered at any time,' he rejoined.

"'Where are you going to put the bonds?' I asked uneasily,

"He evaded a reply, but promised to tell me when I recovered my health.
I protested, for we were jointly concerned in the robbery, and half the
proceeds belonged to me. At any rate, I had as much title to them as
he. But the contest was not an equal one. Had I been a well man I would
have forcibly prevented his carrying out his purpose, but what could I
do, racked with pain as I was, and unable to sit up in bed? I was worse
off then than I am now."

"So he carried off the bonds?"

"Yes, and I don't know where he carried them. You see, that complicates
matters."

"I do see," answered Fred, perplexed, "and I don't see the way out of
the difficulty. Have you any idea where he can have concealed the
securities?"

"No."

"Do you think he would keep them in his room at the hotel? It is just
across the hall from mine, on the second floor."

"No, I don't. A hotel room would be a much less secure place than this
cottage, and Bowman is a shrewd man."

"That is true."

"He has probably found some outside place of concealment. Where, of
course, I can give you no hint. But I would advise you to follow him,
watch his movements, and learn what you can. He will be sure to visit
the place where the bonds are hidden from time to time, if only to make
sure that they are still safe."

"Then I shall have to do some detective work?"

"Precisely."

"I have read a good many detective stories, but I don't know that any
of them will help me in this matter. There is one thing I am afraid
of."

"What is that?"

"You say Bowman is a shrewd man. He will be likely to find out that I
am following him and become suspicions."

"He would if you were a man, but as you are a boy he won't be likely to
think that you are interested in the matter."

"Mr. Wainwright was of opinion that I should be less likely to excite
suspicion than a grown man."

"The old man is smarter than I gave him credit for."

"I see no other way than to follow your directions. Are you in much
pain to-day?"

"No, less than for some time. I think it is my mental trouble that
aggravates my physical malady. Now that you are here, and something