In a short time Merriwell had related the facts of the affair, explaining in a few words how on a former occasion his enemies had tried to strike at him through the hunchback boy, and how he had followed the trail of Abe’s kidnappers to Camp Nowhar, at last succeeding in rescuing the little cripple.
Keene frowned and tapped his desk with his knuckles as he sat in silence after hearing of this. When a few moments had passed he observed:
“It seems rather singular that your enemies should try the same trick over. Besides that, it is a weak method of striking at you. I can see how Sukes did it in order to divert your attention at the time when you were exerting yourself to ruin his illegal business. But is there any reason now why any one should wish to bother you to prevent you from accomplishing any purpose you have in mind?”
“I know of no reason, Keene.”
“Merriwell, there is a mystery behind this that you have not penetrated. I don’t know why I think so, but in some cases I depend on intuition. In this case intuition tells me that this second kidnapping of the hunchback means something entirely different than the first affair. What it means I am not now prepared to say. You say the house to which the boy was taken is on Euclid Avenue?”
“Yes, sir.”
“This fellow, Wiley, in whose charge the boy was left, has told you so?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is Wiley reliable? Can you trust him in everything?”
“He is a strange character, Mr. Keene; but I believe he would not deceive me. In fact, I am positive he would not. I even became convinced by his own actions that he was false to me, yet in the end he proved himself true as steel, and he saved my life. I am satisfied he spoke the truth when he told me how Abe was captured, and how he followed the kidnappers to that house. I have left him there to watch the house. On you I must depend for aid in rescuing the boy.”