"If either of them would only mention something definite," he thought. "The tin box robbery for instance. Then I would be certain I was on the right track."
"That's an idea, Ferris," replied Macklin. "It ain't fair fer Hardwick ter be rollin' in money an' me livin' here."
"That's it."
"I uster be jest as fine a liver as him, Ferris, in the flush days. An' when old Sumner took Hardwick in an' bounced me——"
Macklin did not finish. There was a racket in the hall-way, and then came the tones of an excited Irishwoman.
"Phot's this? Phot be yez doin' here, young mon, sn'akin' along like a thafe? Tommy Macklin, cum here!"
CHAPTER XVII.
NEAR TO DEATH.
The Irishwoman had come up behind Hal so softly—she wore rubbers—that the youth did not hear her, and he was, therefore, thoroughly startled when she made the exclamation quoted at the end of the preceding chapter.