CHAPTER II.—A CALL FROM THE DARKNESS
Yes, the hoarded money was gone!
The square box with the red cover was empty. The boys dropped back in their chairs and turned their eyes away, neither caring to read what was in the faces opposite. The money that had been ready for the hoard still lay on the table. Case was first to break the silence.
“Our professional worry man,” he said, “would better start on his job to-night. He’ll have a nice little task to begin on.”
“Don’t get sarcastic, Case,” Clay remonstrated. “This may be one of the worries that won’t catch up! Perhaps Jule has placed the money in a safer place.”
“That’s it!” cried Alex. “Of course that’s it! Who would come in here and get our money?”
“Then, where is Jule?” demanded the boy addressed. “Why doesn’t he come in and let us know where the money is?
“Jule will be home in good time,” Clay said, grimly, “and for the present it won’t be healthy for anyone to suggest that he has done anything mean or dishonest. He’ll be back, all right, and then we’ll know all about it.”
Case flushed furiously.
“Say,” he expostulated, “I wasn’t saying anything against Jule! At least I didn’t mean to. I know that he’s true blue. Perhaps he discovered the robbery before we did and chased off after the thief. Don’t you ever think I’m blaming him!”