Frank grinned. “And without old Smuff,” he said.
“Now Mr. Robinson’s cleared for sure!” Joe exclaimed. “That’s the best part of solving this mystery.”
“You’re right!”
The boys rejoiced over their discovery for another full minute, then decided to hurry back to Bayport with the precious sack.
“You go down first, Frank,” said Joe. “I’ll toss the sack to you and then come myself.”
He picked up the bag and was about to hoist it to his shoulders when both boys heard a sound on the roof of the tower. They looked up to see an evil-looking, unshaven man peering down at them.
“Halt!” he ordered.
“Who are you?” Frank asked.
“They call me Hobo Johnny,” the man replied. “This here is my quarters and anything in it belongs to me. You got no right in my room. You can’t take anything away. And t’anks for finding the wad. I never thought to look around.”
Joe, taken aback a moment, now said, “You may sleep here, but this is railroad property. You don’t own what’s in this tower. Now go on down the ladder, so we can leave.”