“No, it isn’t from Mabel,” he answered, vexed at himself because of the red flush he could feel creeping up his face. “It’s from Reggie.”
“All right,” laughed Clara. “But what are you getting so red about, Joe? What does Reggie have to say?”
“It seems rather queer,” said Joe, slowly. “This is the way it reads: ‘Am coming on. See if you can find Talham Tabbs. Have him held.’ Now what do you make of that?”
“Who is Talham Tabbs?” asked Clara, coming closer and looking over his shoulder.
“That’s the funny part of it,” replied her brother. “Talham Tabbs is the name of the man I knocked stiff on the lumber pile this afternoon.”
An exclamation of surprise came from each member of the family group. Even Mr. Matson was stirred out of his usual reserve by the singular coincidence.
“How do you know that?” asked his father.
“Sam Berry said that that was the name the man registered under at the hotel,” was the answer.
“But what possible connection can there be between Reggie Varley and this crazy man?” mused Clara.