“You keep a clear head on your shoulders, Tim,” warned Porton. “Some day, drink is going to land you in jail or in the grave.”
“Not much!” snorted the man. “I know when to stop.” But Porton knew that this was not true.
Another conference was held, and Crapsey told of having taken a look around, both at the Wadsworth place and the Basswood home.
“There is no one at the Basswood place but Mr. and Mrs. Basswood; and I understand the man is sick in bed,” he said. “All the telephone 142 wires are out of commission, but to make sure that the Basswoods couldn’t telephone I cut the wire that runs into his real estate office––and I also cut the wire up at the Wadsworth house.”
“Good for you, Tim!” returned Ward Porton, and then he told of having found the two cards, each containing Dave’s signature.
“That’s fine!” cried the man. “That ought to help you a great deal when you ask for the miniatures.”
“I hope it does,” answered Ward Porton, thoughtfully. “Now let us go; the sooner we get at this affair the better.” And then both left the barn, entered the cutter, and drove rather slowly in the direction of the Basswood home.