"Of course. Wot other do you s'pose? We was a-comin' down Rector street just as these three fellers come a-sneakin' out.
"We skinned over the church-yard fence, an' give 'em the bat-call, wot we gives to de fellers of our gang to let dem know we're around.
"Giminnetti! you'd orter see 'em cut round the corner, an' the foremost of them dropped this here box in the snow."
"I see it all!" cried Frank, bitterly. "Cutts knew of this intended robbery, and planned to have suspicion thrown upon me. Fool that I was to listen to his lying words!"
"Betcher life," replied Barney, sententiously. "Hold up fer a minute, an' I'll tell you all about that, too."
But Frank Mansfield failed to reply.
Moving toward the pile of documents, he had, as well as his manacled hands would allow him, opened the one nearest the edge of the table, and was now examining it by the uncertain light of the lamp.
What was this?
Surely there must be some mistake!
But no—here it was all down in black and white.