"I heard him say so. Besides, he dropped a letter that proved it. I have the letter in my pocket now. It's the dying statement of one Nicholas Weaver&—"
"Nicholas Weaver! He was a clerk with father!"
"So I thought. Who Stumpy is, though, I don't know. Do you?"
"No; but his face I'm sure I've seen before. Let me see the letter. Have you read it?"
"No; I hadn't time to spell it out, it is so badly written. Maybe you can read it."
"I'll try," replied Kate. "Hand it over."
I put my hand in my pocket to do so. The statement was gone!
CHAPTER XI
AARON WOODWARD'S VISIT
Puzzled and dismayed, I made a rapid search of my clothes—first one pocket and then another. It was useless. Beyond a doubt the statement was nowhere about my person.