"Well, what's your idea?"
"He's got a secret friend somewhere here in town, but who that friend is I don't know, or whether it's male or female I don't know. All I can say is, find that friend and you'll find Margaret Ernst's money!"
"You think, then, he's placed the plunder in the hands of this friend to keep for him?"
"I'm sure of it."
A silence of some moments' duration followed.
At length the old detective turned to Cora and abruptly asked:
"Did you ever hear of such a person as Old Spicer?"
The girl started.
"Good Lord! yes, sir!" she exclaimed. "I—I hope you are not he?"
"Fortunately for you, my dear child, I am he," was the grave reply. "Now are you willing to take some good advice from me?"