“You don’t suspect Barney?”
They nodded.
“But how can you? He has helped us, and he’s Mr. Tredway’s friend and I always thought—er——”
“A criminal had to have a motive?” prompted his father. “I attached no importance to one fact I have discovered, until I felt sure of Barney’s guilt. Now I do. This might be his motive! Years ago Mr. Tredway won the girl whom another pilot was courting. The man went from bad to worse, threatened—and then disappeared.”
“Jealousy! Hate!” gasped Curt. “But Barney!——”
“Of course that was not the pilot’s name. He must have changed his name as well as his appearance.”
“Then, Father, how did you know it’s Barney. How about the ex-pilot? Couldn’t he?——”
“No, Al. He worked for Mr. Tredway after the latter married.”
“Well—then—good cracky! Bob—you gave the culprit all the evidence in those books—to destroy!”
“No!” Bob smiled. “Dad’s encyclopedia is shy four volumes, and there are three vitamine books gone, and Barney has them. The real books are in their places on our shelves!”