“What did he have you locked up for?” asked Clay. “I don’t understand that.”
“Just because he wanted that promise,” Alex. suggested. “Is that the answer?”
“It may be,” Clay admitted, “but here’s the question: Is he a robber or a detective? Is he on the level, or is he just a clever scoundrel?”
“Perhaps Alex. can judge better of that when he knows what has taken place here,” Case suggested, going on with the story of the disappearance of the leather bag.
“Red’s gang got it,” laughed Alex., without a moment’s hesitation, as Case finished the story. “He knew Clay put something in the bank, and asked me what it was. Yes, we know all about it now!”
“I just believe Chet took the bag, thinking the gems were in it,” insisted Jule.
“We’ll never know the truth until we find the lad,” Clay said, with a sigh.
“Unless Red, the Robber, shows up again in a confidential mood,” Alex. laughed.
“If the supplies I ordered are all in,” Clay went on, “I think we’d better be on our way. There’s mystery in the very air here!”
“If we stay here long,” Alex. prophesied, “the coon I biffed on the shin may show up, lookin’ for revenge, or Red may come after pay for the furniture I smashed!”