“And was there an elephant here?” Ned wanted to know.
“No, that, too, was Jolly Bill,” said the young detective. “He bound pieces of burlap bags on his good foot and on his wooden leg—making a wad on the latter to expand it, and so he walked around, not making any shoe prints. We thought it was sacks of potatoes set down, but it was Bill’s trick.”
“He was full of tricks,” said Ned.
“But Bob went him one better each time!” laughed Harry.
“He sure did!” murmured Hiram. “And I’m mighty thankful to you boys for what you’ve done. I’m going to pay you—I’m well off now.”
However, the boys would not listen to this. Though later, when Hiram insisted on making a contribution to the Athletic Club, his offer was accepted and he was made an honorary member.
“Well, I guess this is the end of the Storm Mountain mystery,” remarked Ned, as with Bob and some other chums, they were talking over the matter one day.
“Yes, the secret of the log cabin—how the key got in the locked room—has been solved,” added Harry.
“Did the police get any trace of those two that ran away in the night—the hook-armed man and the fellow with the monkey?” asked Fred Merton.
“No, I guess they didn’t,” Bob answered. “There really wasn’t much use chasing after them, or Jolly Bill, either. Mr. Beegle has the money and that’s all he wants.”