Sheet after sheet, they perused. There were lectures by visiting authors, lectures by big-game hunters, lectures by Arctic explorers, lectures by college professors, photographs of lecturers.
"He is certainly interested in lecturing. Perhaps it's just a coincidence. Crazy men will do crazy things. Perhaps Captain Royal just has a sort of lunatic streak that way," said Joe finally, when it seemed evident that none of the clippings or documents bore any mention of Todham Todd.
"Perhaps you're right. I hate to admit it, though. I was sure we had stumbled on a red-hot clue."
Frank scrutinized the last of the clippings.
"Nothing about him in this one either. I can't figure it out. Beyond the fact that all these stories deal with lectures, there is no connection between them. They're all by different men and all on different subjects."
At that moment Joe espied a small box close by. He opened it, and out tumbled a second mass of clippings.
"Gee, look at this!" he exclaimed.
"More lectures?" questioned his brother, with a sigh.
"Lectures? No!" shouted the younger Hardy boy. "It's a murder case! Look, Frank!"
"You're fooling!"