“And they were not?” asked Patsy.
“No; the lads believed there was no use of trying it, because the presents would be too closely watched and they came to know that the chief was looking after them, so they steered clear away.”
“Then,” said Chick, “if any one did make the attempt, it was not local lags.”
“That’s dead certain,” said Merton. “If any one did, they were outsiders. But did any one try it on?”
“We think they did,” said Chick, cautiously.
“Well, if any one knows anything about it,” said Merton, “you ought to. You were on guard there.”
“Oh,” said Chick. “You know that, then.”
“Yes,” replied Merton. “The chief was certain that Sanborn would call Nick Carter in, for he always does that when he has got any work to be done. That’s why the chief didn’t send anybody there.”
“Well,” said Chick, “Sanborn did not call on the chief. But the chief got a tip that an effort was going to be made to nip some of those presents and warned Sanborn only this morning. That’s how we happened to be there.”
“Say,” asked Merton, suddenly, “what’s that story about the bridegroom, Ellison, disappearing? Is there anything in it?”