He and Harry walked ahead. Ed walked behind, as there was not room enough on the narrow sidewalk for them to walk three abreast.
"There is more to this case than appears on the surface," Old King Brady whispered to his partner.
"It seems that this wretched girl has robbed Mr. Butler of three thousand dollars in cash, and also of a bunch of valuable papers. He does not want to get her back. His engaging us with that idea is merely a bluff for the benefit of the wife. He does want the papers, however, and if she will give them up he is willing that she shall keep the cash. I am sorry the man did not come himself. There seems to be some mystery about the papers which I fail to understand."
"He makes no explanation of their contents?"
"Nothing further than to say that their loss will probably involve him in a large loss of money. I don't just see what he can mean, for, as I understand it, Mr. Butler is merely working on a salary, and not a very heavy one at that."
"I should like to see the letter. Perhaps I can make something more out of it."
"Possibly, possibly, still I doubt it. I will show it to you first chance I get, and——Good heavens! What was that?"
They had almost reached the point where Mott street joins with Pell.
Suddenly a crash had sounded behind them, and with it came a cry in a boyish voice:
"Help! Mr. Brady! Oh, help!"