“Who did then?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out.”
It was with this end in view that, two days later, Bob paid a visit to the Mansion House where Jolly Bill Hickey was still staying. Bob had a long talk with Nelson Beel, the proprietor.
“Certainly, Bob, I’ll let you do it,” was the permission given. “But I don’t like any disturbance about my place.”
“There won’t be any, Mr. Beel, I promise you that. It will all be done very quietly.”
“All right, Bob, go to it.”
Thereupon the young detective began some new tactics.
CHAPTER XXII
THE BRASS BOX
Nearly every town, or small city has, or had at one time, a large hotel known as the “Mansion House.” In this Cliffside was no exception, and the chief hostelry bore that name. It was a big, rambling, old-fashioned structure and, in its day, had housed many a “gay and festive scene,” to quote the Cliffside Weekly Banner which once ran a series of stories about famous men and places in the community.