“Or, if he didn’t take the bracelet, he took the professor’s mud turtle,” put in Fenn, who had by this time recovered from his indisposition.
“Mud turtle! Oh, dear! Mud turtles, you say? Oh, I—excuse me,” and again the lineman choked up. “I understand,” he said at length. “I know who you mean. Would you like to meet him?”
“Would we?” gasped Bart and Fenn, together.
“That’s enough. I’ll guarantee to introduce you to him, if he’s at home,” went on Mr. Lang. “He lives next door to me. I know him well. A diamond thief! Oh, dear! Mud turtles!” and again the lineman seemed overcome. “Don’t say another word, but come on.”
Much mystified, Bart and Fenn followed their friend. He led them up a quiet street, and into a neat cottage.
“Mary,” he said to his wife, when he had introduced the lads, “one of these boys saved my life this afternoon, but I’ll tell you more about that later. Just now I’ve something else on hand. Do you know if William is home?” and he nodded at the house next door.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Lang, wonderingly, “he just came in. I think he brought home another turtle.”
The hearts of Fenn and Bart gave jumps! At last they were on the trail!
Without a word the lineman led the way to the adjoining house. He seemed to be laboring under some emotion, as if he was trying hard not to laugh. He knocked at the door, and a man answered the summons. Bart and Fenn started back. There stood the mysterious person who had eluded them so often—the man they believed had taken the diamond bracelet belonging to the professor’s wife! On his part the mysterious individual seemed anxious to run away at the sight of Bart and Fenn.
“William,” began the lineman, “one of these lads saved my life a while ago. Now don’t get excited—take things calmly. No one is going to hurt you, or your turtles,” and he spoke almost as he might to a child, or to a sick person. “I just want to introduce you to these boys. They are looking for a diamond bracelet, and they think maybe you could help them find it. Boys, this is my cousin, William Lang,” and Bart thought the lineman winked significantly at him. Was there more to the mystery?