“We know the Water Witch is somewhere in the neighborhood,” remarked Chester, to which his chum replied:
“What could attract them to a small office like this? They hunt for bigger game.”
“There’s a good lot of money in the safe downstairs,” said Mike. “’Twas mesilf that obsarved one of the leddy’s callers gave her twinty-five hundred dollars, which she put away. Where could the spalpeens make a bigger haul?”
“But how should they know about it? They didn’t see it done,” said Alvin.
“Hist, now! From what me eyes told me, the same being anither chap called and would have lift more, had he not been afeard of me eagle eye that was on him.”
“What of that?”
“Doesn’t it show that it’s the practice in Beartown wid some of them as has lots of money to lave the same wid the leddy? Thim chaps are prying round and it would be aisy fur ’em to larn the fact.”
“We should have seen something of them if they were in this village.”
Alvin felt the weakness of this statement, for such unwelcome visitors would be too shrewd to expose themselves to discovery when it was possible to avoid it. All three might have been in Beartown for hours without drawing attention to themselves and without giving Mike, during his earlier visit, a glimpse of them.
Speculating in this manner, Alvin and Mike came to the belief, or rather hope, that their good friend was in no danger of a burglarious visit. Chester would not be convinced, but expressed the hope that they were right.