“And didn’t he bring all that money back?” gasped Ruth.
“‘All that money,’” repeated Agnes, with laughter. “How tragic you sound—just as though it were not stage money. And I wish it were not!”
“He—he didn’t return the book?” asked Ruth, controlling herself with difficulty.
“Not yet. He went away so suddenly. Mean thing! I’d just like to know where he’s gone.”
Agnes was quite unaware of her sister’s trouble. Her own mind reverted to Neale’s strange absence as of more importance. Ruth began to be troubled by that same query, too. Where was Neale O’Neil? And what had he done with the old album found in the Corner House garret?
The ten dollar bill Ruth had had examined at the bank that morning was one she had taken out of the old volume!
CHAPTER X—WHAT MR. CON MURPHY DID NOT KNOW
The children saw Dr. Forsyth coming out of Sammy Pinkney’s house that afternoon and they ran to ask him how their neighbor was getting on.
“For we’re awful int’rested in Sammy,” Dot explained. “I’m int’rested because he’s going to be a pirate, and Tess is int’rested because he gave her a goat.”
“You children stay across the street where you are,” commanded the busy doctor, getting briskly into his automobile. “You’re quite near enough to me. This is my last call and I’m going home now to fumigate my clothing.”