“You don’t think they came back for that pocket-piece?”
“Hardly that. There’s a whole lot behind this business that we aren’t onto yet.”
“Well, what’s your idea?”
“If you must have it, I’m beginning to believe that we’ve come into contact with a gang whose tokens or badges of membership are the numbered, winged cartwheels. And the gang is undoubtedly a large one. We know that there are at least fifty-seven of them.”
“Gee!” Dorothy looked startled. “Really, Bill? But why under the sun do these cartwheelers pick on Deborah?”
“Of course, I haven’t the dimmest idea what these fellows are up to. But seeing what took place last night over at my house, I’ve got a hunch that they think either Osceola or I are wise to what is going on. You two girls, after this morning’s experience, are probably the only two persons who have seen members of the gang, knowing them to be just that. Therefore, it’s quite on the cards that they want to put you both safely away where you won’t be able to identify those two until they’ve pulled off their big stunt—whatever that may be. Of course, I may be all wrong, but up to now we’ve had next to nothing to go on except those dollars!”
Dorothy looked at him admiringly. “I always knew you had a head on your shoulders, Bill.” She shut the door to her room.
“Better turn off the water in your bath tub,” Bill called after her. “And don’t forget I want your dope on tonight.”
“I won’t—just give me a chance,” her muffled voice came back to him. “Gosh, but this room is a mess!”
Bill set the chair just outside her door and sat down. He was tired and he wanted to think, but Dorothy didn’t give him much opportunity to do so.