“That’s a likely story!” sneered Mr. Sandow, joining his wife at the window. “You probably stole that money, and now you want us to help you lie about it. Clear out of here!”
“I didn’t steal the money!” exclaimed Tom. “I lost it! Will you please look down in the sitting-room, or have Dr. Spidderkins do so?”
“The doctor’s asleep, and I’m not going to disturb him,” declared Mrs. Sandow.
“I guess not!” added her husband. “Now clear out of here, and don’t disturb us any more. You’re a nuisance, with your books and things! I’ll put a stop to this buying of trash!”
“What’s the matter? What is it? Is it a burglar after my rare books?” inquired Dr. Spidderkins, coming suddenly to the window, behind Mr. and Mrs. Sandow. He leaned out, and Tom could see, in the light of an electric arc lamp in front of the house, that the doctor was dressed, and had on his spectacles, as if he had been sitting up reading.
“Go back to bed!” called the woman.
“I haven’t been to bed. I must have forgotten to go,” answered the doctor. “I was reading an account of how the Romans invaded England. It’s in a very rare first edition of——”
The rest of the sentence was cut off, as Mr. Sandow slammed the window down.
“They don’t want him to speak to me,” thought Tom. “I wonder what’s the matter with that couple? They seem to want the doctor to do just as they say.”
An instant later the window was raised again, and the aged physician looked out.