“Oh, I see. Well, that is the way we will get you out.”
Our hero left his lantern with Burlein and crawled back and reported. Then he with Murray’s aid located the side of the wall, fixed the distance with the two outer corners, and then went out again. They located the point above where the opening terminated in the cellar, and then paced the distance, and soon dug down to the trap cover. Finding a ladder they descended and a little later Burlein was raised to the open air. His strength quickly returned and he was able to walk with the detective and our hero over to the clubhouse. On the way he explained that the little food he had received had been brought to him by a child who had crawled through the same opening by which Ike had crept.
Explanations followed all round and Burlein could not find words to express his gratitude to our little hero, who was reluctant to listen to the words of praise and thanks that were showered upon him.
The following morning the detective took the town constable with him and went over to the farmhouse and carefully examined with Ike the ingenious methods the man Herman had adopted to hide the two entrances to the old vault, and even Murray admitted that if it had not been for Ike’s persistent confidence he would have been baffled.
The man Herman was placed under guard, the constable and the gamekeeper from the club standing guard, and on the very first train Murray, our hero and Burlein started for New York.
Burlein went direct to his rooms, all hands agreeing to meet at Mr. Smith’s office at eleven o’clock. At the time named all hands were there. Murray had gone earlier and had explained the startling discoveries to the merchant. At eleven o’clock, as stated, the parties all met in the banker’s office and were stowed away in a little inner room, and a little later Fellman arrived with his counsel, all shysters well known around New York.
After a little preliminary talk Mr. Smith said:
“Mr. Fellman, I am not wholly satisfied with your statement.”
The shysters spoke for Fellman and in an independent tone said:
“That is for your own discomfort, sir. We are not responsible for the acts of the scoundrel who not only swindled you but my innocent and confiding client, Mr. Fellman.”