“No, simply took a chisel and hammer and cut the lock out. The door was only soft iron.”
By this time the three boys were near the mill. There was quite a crowd about, and several policemen were on guard, preventing any one, but those having business, from entering the establishment.
“One side, please,” called a man suddenly, coming up behind the three chums. “I’m in a hurry.”
The boys turned aside, to give passage to a short, stout fussy man, who seemed in a tremendous state of excitement.
“That’s Sheriff Blackwell,” said Jerry. “I suppose he thinks the robbers are here waiting for him to arrest them.”
There was really little news of the robbery to be had. Mr. Judson related what particulars he knew to the police.
“I had a little more than one thousand dollars on hand late yesterday afternoon,” he said to the officers. “Several people paid me some bills, and, as it was late, I didn’t go to the bank, but locked the money up in the safe. I seldom do this, as the iron box is no match for burglars.
“As far as I know the only persons who knew the money was in the safe were my son and myself. I am sure neither he nor I told any one.”
“We must get right to work looking up clues,” said the sheriff.