“Smalley’s,” she returned, promptly.
“Yes, Smalley’s. He asked, as smooth as silk, ‘Is Thomas in?’
“‘What Thomas is dat?’ asked Brick.
“‘Thomas the coachman,’ replied Smalley.
“I gave Brick a pull. ‘Brick,’ I said, ‘that’s a bad fellow. Set Bylow on him.’
“‘Isn’t this Mr. Brown’s?’ Smalley was inquiring in guileless surprise.
“‘No, it aint Mistah Brown’s,’ replied Brick, ‘but dis here dog’ll take you to Mistah Brown,’ and he rattled downstairs with Bylow.
“Smalley ran, and Bylow ran. I knew the dog wouldn’t hurt him, but he did some ripping. When he and Brick came back I pulled a piece of cloth from between the dog’s jaws. I recognized it as a sample of Smalley’s smart trousers. He wouldn’t do any more reconnoitring round the Judge’s house after dark.”
Mrs. Everest looked puzzled. “I don’t quite understand, Barry.”
“Smalley wanted to see the back of the house and to find out what kind of a watch was kept in the stable, and if it would be easy to enter the Judge’s house at night. I think Bylow informed him on these questions. He came early in the evening, so as not to risk his reputation by prowling round it later. O, he is a clever scamp is Smalley. As soon as we got rid of him I hurried down to the public library. Now my fears were fulfilled. Smalley had designs upon something or some one at one hundred and ten. In the library I think I found the clew to Smalley’s presence here.”