"Well, you inferred as much!"
"As a matter of fact, I think he is hiding the plans."
"Does he expect to go into the manufacturing business?" grinned Sandy.
"I don't know about that," Will replied, "but there is talk that the clerk and the miner conspired to lose the plans."
"Because of the thumb prints?" asked Sandy.
"No; because the machine outlined in the plans is a mining machine, and because this clerk, Vin Chase, his name is, and this miner, Garman, have a notion in their head that they can steal the idea and bring forth a machine of their own. At least that is the supposition in Chicago."
"The plot deepens!" laughed George, "We'll be doing business with the Patent Office the first thing we know!"
"Are the plans which are claimed to hold the thumb prints of any value?" asked Sandy. "What I mean is, is the alleged invention of any account? You know there are plenty of inventions which are not worth the paper they are drawn on."
"Spaulding and Hurley, the two men accused of stealing the money," Will answered, "declare that the plans are absolutely without value."
"Why didn't you tell us all this before we left Chicago?" asked George. "I don't see any necessity for your keeping the story of the plans such a profound secret!"