“And through a friend in the wholesale dry-goods business at Claxton, who I’ll see down there to-night,” the detective went on, “I can make practically sure of our being ‘stolen’ together. The thieves have shown a partiality for his goods; and by having our boxes attractively labelled ‘SILK,’ and placed just within the car door, there will be little chance of the robbers passing us by.”
“My plan is to bring it off to-morrow night. Would that suit you?” concluded the detective.
“Yes, sir. That is, if I can get away. For it will take all night, I suppose?”
“Yes. There will be no trouble about your getting off, though. I spoke to Allen before I came down,” said Boyle, rising. “All right, it is arranged. You take the five-thirty down to-morrow evening, with the necessary instruments, and I’ll be at the station to meet you. Good night.”
As Boyle had promised, Jack had no difficulty in arranging to be off duty the following night, and early that evening he alighted from the train at Claxton, to find the railroad detective awaiting him.
“The instruments, eh?” queried Boyle, indicating a parcel under Jack’s arm as they left the station. “Yes, sir; and I have some wire and a file in my pocket.”
“That’s the ticket. And everything here is arranged nicely. We will head for the warehouse at once.”
“Here’s the other ‘bolt of silk,’ Mr. Brooke,” the detective announced a few minutes later as they entered the office adjoining a large brick building. “All ready for us?”
“Hn! He’s a pretty small ‘bolt,’ isn’t he?” commented the merchant, eyeing Jack with some surprise.
“A trifle; but he makes up for size in quality,” declared the detective, while Jack blushed. “He is the youngster who solved the ‘ghost’ riddle and spoiled this same gang’s game at Midway Junction.”