“Oh, that was the book. I am positive about that. I have a bad memory, but when it comes to books it is pretty good. Especially when you speak of it. I am positive I put those papers either in or under that book.”
“That’s what I think, too,” said Tom. “Maybe they have fallen down.”
He and the doctor made a thorough search. They took out all the books in that part of the library, and looked behind them. They even searched through several volumes on either side of the Fielding, but no papers were to be found.
“Have you another volume of Mr. Fielding?” asked Tom.
“I have, yes; but it is only a cheap reprint, and I never would put valuable papers in or under that. No, I am sure the papers were here, but they are gone. What had I better do?”
At that moment there came a knock on the door of the inner room, which the physician had taken the precaution to lock.
“Hark!” exclaimed Dr. Spidderkins. “I thought I heard some one knocking.”
“There was,” answered Tom.
The knock was repeated, louder than before, and a voice which Tom recognized as that of the mean housekeeper said:
“Come, come! I can’t stand here all day. I’ve got my work to do. Open the door, now, Dr. Spidderkins. I know you’re in there, with that boy. Boys can’t be trusted, that’s been my experience with ’em. You’d better open the door. I’m sure his feet are muddy and I can’t have my carpets all tracked up. Come, are you going to open that door, or not?”