“I don’t know,” observed Frank. “For all we’re aware, there may be more than Hanleigh interested in this island. Perhaps we have a bigger fight on our hands than we imagine.”
“It’s certainly a mighty deep mystery,” Joe said.
“Well, we may find out more about it if we examine the notebook.”
Frank began going over the pages.
First of all, were several sheets of accounts, evidently notes of receipts and expenditures. On one page was listed: “Suit, $35. Necktie, $1. Shirts, $6. Postage, 40 cents.” A long list of items indicating that the owner of the notebook was a careful and methodical man who kept track of every cent he spent. At the top of the page was written: “October, 1917.”
“Why, that’s eleven years ago!” Frank exclaimed.
“And Sparewell disappeared fifteen years ago.”
“It shows that he was alive for at least four years after he left the Jefferson place, at any rate.”
On the opposite page was a record of receipts, showing money Sparewell had received from various people. These sums were small, showing that Sparewell had not been enjoying a luxurious existence by any means.
On the page following the boys came across a puzzling item.