“The safest place in the world,” replied Noddy. He pointed to a mantelpiece, on which were a number of objects. One was what seemed to be a folded newspaper stuck behind a vase, and half showing. “There it is,” he said, indicating the newspaper.
“I don’t call that very secure,” remarked Perkins.
“It is, because it’s so simple,” argued Noddy. “If I had it in a safe or a strong-box, that would be the first place they would look for it if they broke in. But they’d never think of unfolding that piece of newspaper, because it’s so common. They’d say to themselves that I’d never be so foolish as to leave it in plain sight that way, and so they’d pass over it.”
“That’s a good idea,” admitted Dick Randall, the man who had asked about the deed.
“Well, what’s the next thing on the programme?” asked Noddy, after the men had lighted cigars which he produced.
“We’ll wait a few days until we hear from Larry, I think,” spoke Perkins.
“But if he don’t answer, and agree to do as we want?”
“Well, then, we’ll have to drop him a gentle hint that something is liable to happen to the kid here.”
“But you wouldn’t hurt the little fellow!” exclaimed Noddy. “I wouldn’t stand for that,” he went on. “I’m bad enough and desperate enough, as all of you know, but if there’s going to be any game that includes hurting a little chap, you can not only cut me out of it, but I’ll not stand for it, and I’ll——” and the blue-handed man seemed to be very much in earnest.
“Getting chicken-hearted?” sneered Perkins.