ad lost all his money, and he had staked his rig
and lost that, too. One of the two men laughed at him, and rallied him,
remarking he would have 'his share,' whatever that meant, in a day or
two, and then they would meet again and give him his revenge. By the
way, I'm off in my story--Wacker did leave here, about eleven o'clock."

"Alone?"

"Yes. He was gone half an hour, came back looking wise and excited,
joined his cronies again, and at midnight was helpless. My man and I
carried him upstairs to bed."

"What became of the two men?"

"They sat watching the clock till closing time, one o'clock, went out,
unhitched the horse, and drove off."

"I wish I knew who they were," murmured Bart.

"I suppose I might worry it out of Wacker, when he gets his head clear,"
suggested Green.

"I don't believe he would tell you the truth--and he might suspect."

"Suspect what?" demanded Green keenly.

"Never mind, Mr. Green. Can I take a look into the room where they spent
the evening?"

"Certainly--go right in."

Bart held his breath, nearly suffocated by the mixed liquor and tobacco
taint in the close, disorderly looking apartment.

His eye passed over the stained table, the broken glasses and litter of
cigar stubs. Then he came nearer to the table. One corner was covered
with chalk marks.

They apparently represented the score of the games the trio had played.
There were three columns.

At the head of one was scrawled the name "Wacker," at the second "Buck,"
at the third "Hank."

Bart wondered if he had better try to interview Lem Wacker. He decided
in the negative.

In the first place, Wacker would not be likely to talk with him--if he
did, he would be on his guard and prevaricate; and, lastly, as long as
he was asleep he was out of mischief, and helpless to interfere with
Bart.

The young express agent left the Sharp Corner without saying anything
further to Silas Green.

He had his theory, and his plan. His theory was that Lem Wacker, with a
perfect knowledge of the express office situation, had "fixed" the night
watchman's lunch, and employed two accomplices to do the rest of the
work.

When Wacker woke up, he would simply say he had sold his rig to two
strangers, and, so far as the actual burglary was concerned, would be
able to prove a conclusive _alibi_.

The men who had committed the deed had driven off with the wagon and
trunk, and by this time were undoubtedly at a safe distance in hiding.

Ba