"A dark figure! Hum! Sounds like one of those old yellow—back novels," remarked Mr. Blake, with a smile.
"But this was a figure I recognized, sir," exclaimed Hiram. "It was Bill Bender!"
"Jack Curtiss' chum! They're as thick as two thieves," burst out Merritt.
"And I believe they are two thieves," solemnly put in Rob.
"Well," went on Hiram, "the next minute Bill Bender came walking round the corner as fast as if he were coming from somewhere in a great hurry, and was hastening home. He told me he had been to a birthday party at his aunt's."
"At his aunt's," echoed Mr. Blake. "Well, that's an important point, for I happen to know that his aunt, Mrs. Graves, is out of town. She visited the bank yesterday morning and drew some money for her traveling expenses. She informed me that she expected to be gone a week or more."
"I knew it, I knew it!" shouted Rob. "That fellow ought to be in jail. He'll land there yet."
"Softly, softly, my boy," said Mr. Blake. "This is a grave affair, and we cannot jump at conclusions."
"I'd jump him," declared Rob, "if I only knew for certain that he was the thief!"
"I will inform the police myself and have an investigation made," Mr. Blake promised. "We will leave no stone unturned to find out who has been guilty of such an outrage."