He opened the box, and I heard a rustling of documents.
"Why—why—what does this mean!" he ejaculated. "They are not here!"
"What!" cried Mr. Aaron Woodward, aghast.
"The papers are not here!" Holtzmann hurried over to his safe and began a hasty search. "As sure as you're born, Woody, they have been stolen!"
"It's that boy," exclaimed the merchant. "He's a wizard of a sly one. He has stolen them, and we are lost!"
CHAPTER XXIX
THE PRECIOUS PAPERS
I was not as much surprised over the situation as were the two men. I could put two and two together as quickly as any one, and I knew exactly where the papers were to be found.
Sammy Simpson, of 28 Hallock Street, was the thief. He had intimated that he had evidence against Chris Holtzmann, and these papers were that evidence.
This being so, there was no further use for my remaining in my cramped position in the closet, and I longed for a chance for escape. It was not long in coming.