"But orders—" began the policeman.
"You may go around with me, so that you can be sure I do not touch anything."
"Well, I dunno—" began the bluecoat.
His speech was cut short by the banging of a rear door, as the wind caught it. Mrs. Morse gave a cry.
"What was that? I didn't leave any door open!"
She ran to the rear of the mansion and the policeman followed. Adam Adams stepped to the front door and then out on the lawn. He was in time to see a man leap a side fence and start down the road. A moment later Charles Vapp was following the disappearing individual. The detective stepped into the house again.
"Well, that's mighty queer," muttered the policeman, as he came back.
"It is queer," answered Adam Adams, eying him sternly. "You had better explain it if you want to keep out of trouble."
"Explain what?" came from Mrs. Morse.
"You just told me that nobody was in the house."