"But I saw him stuffing some papers in as he ran away from me," said Tom. "We must be sure about this. And don't let the fellow get away until I question him."
"Oh, he's safe enough," answered the man. "Koku is guarding him. He won't get away."
"Then I'll have a look at his clothes," decided Tom. "He may have a secret pocket."
But nothing like this was disclosed, and the most careful search did not reveal anything incriminating in the man's garments.
"He might have thrown away any papers Bower gave him," said Tom. "Maybe they're at the bottom of the mud hole! If they're there they're safe enough. But have a search made of the ground where this man ran."
This was done, but without result. Some of the workmen even dragged the mud hole without finding anything. Then Tom and his father had a talk with the stranger, who refused to give his name. The man was sullen and angry. He talked loudly about his innocence and of "having the law on" Tom for having tripped him into the mud.
"All right, if you want to make a complaint, go ahead," said the young inventor. "I'll make one against you for trespass. Why did you come on my grounds?"
"I was going to ask for work. I'm a good machinist and I wanted a job."
"How did you get in? Who admitted you at the gate?"
"I—I jest walked in," said the man, but Tom knew this could not be true, as no strangers were admitted without a permit and none had been issued. The man denied knowing anything about Bower, but the latter's flight was evidence enough that something was wrong.