ld be removed."

"Then I don't see that we can do anything," said Bert, disappointed.

"The task is difficult, but not impossible. All we know is, that only
two months after the robbery Harding disappeared. It was reported that
he went to the West, but this was by no means certain. From that day to
this, nothing is positively known as to his whereabouts."

"Then I don't see what can be done," repeated Bert.

"There is one thing to guide us," continued Uncle Jacob; "the man's
occupation. There is a fair probability that he is working in some shoe
town, that is, if he is still alive."

"There are a good many shoe towns," objected Bert.

"True; the clew is only a faint one, yet sometimes a faint clew leads to
important discoveries."

"Have you taken any steps yet, Uncle Jacob?"

"Yes; your father remembered that Harding was a Pennsylvanian by birth,
and this made it possible, at least, that he had gone back to his native
State. Accordingly, last week, I inserted an advertisement in two daily
papers printed in Philadelphia, calling for information touching the man
of whom we are in search. I will show you a copy of it."

Uncle Jacob took from his wallet a newspaper clipping and showed it to
Bert.

It ran thus:

WANTED.--Information as to the present residence of Ralph
Harding, who in the year 1873 was employed in the shoe manufactory
of Weeks Brothers, in Lynn, Mass. He will hear something to his
advantage.

"Have you had any answer to this advertisement?" asked Bert.

"Not till this morning, when I received a letter from Harrisburg,
written in a feminine hand. Here it is."

He placed in Bert's hands the following letter:

DEAR SIR: I have read in the Philadelphia _Ledger_ your
advertisement for a man named Ralph Harding. A man by that name
boarded with me two months ago. He was working in a shoe shop in
this city, so he may be the one you are after. You say you know of
something to his advantage. If there is any money coming to him I
want you to see that I am paid a just debt. Mr. Harding was owing
me eight weeks' board when he left the house, at four dollars a
week, and dirt cheap that is; for, if I do say it myself, there are
not many boarding-houses in Harrisburg where so good a table is
kept for four dollars as I give. I inclose my bill, and will be
very glad if you will send me the money by return of mail, taking
it out