“But I’ll look all through that pawnbroker’s stock for it,” he said.
Mr. Farson decided that they would first go to Munroe and get the cups and jewelry, and later see about causing the arrest of the guilty person, or persons.
“The pawnbroker would have to identify the thief, anyhow,” he explained. “Now you boys go back to the island and stay there. I’ll hire an auto and go to Munroe. As soon as I get back I’ll run over and let you know how I make out. Oh, this is good news for me!”
“What became of Blasdell after he jumped out of the shack, Tom?” asked Phil.
“How could I tell? I was under the cot.”
“That’s so. And he doesn’t seem to be around these diggings any more. He just showed up with these pawn tickets, and then lit out again. And to think he was the fellow who had the stuff all the while!”
“He or Mendez,” said Tom. “I’m not sure which. It’s queer that Blasdell should come all the way back to hide the tickets in the shack. I heard him speak of getting something that belonged to him, but I don’t know what it was.”
They argued the matter, but could come to no agreement. Going back to their island camp, they found time for a little practice in the shell, Mr. Pierson coaching them. Then they waited impatiently for the return of the jeweler.
“I wonder what Mendez will think when he gets back and finds his place has been ransacked?” suggested Sid.
“He won’t know it,” declared Tom. “I was mighty careful, and Blasdell wasn’t inside more than a few minutes. Let’s take a stroll around there, and size it up.”