Part 1 (1/2)
Toht
by Victor Appleton
CHAPTER I
A Scrap OF PAPER
”Toer was back in town?”
”Great Scott, no, I didn't Ned! Not to stay, I hope”
”I guess not The old Foger ho around it to-day as I ca some repairs I think No, I don't believe Andy is here to stay”
”But if so up the house, it looks as if the faht of the lad who had so long been his ene Shopton, where our hero lived
”I don't think so,” was the opinion of Ned Newton, as Toer lost all his money, the house was supposed to be sold But I heard later that there was soh It is because he couldn't sell the place that Mr Foger couldn't get money to pay some of his debts He has some claim on the house, I believe, but I don't believe he'd come back to live in it”
”Why not?”
”Because it's too expensive a place for a poor er is now poor”
”Yes, he didn't get any of the gold, as we did ent to the underground city,” remarked Tom ”Well, I don't wish anybody bad luck but I certainly hope the Fogers keep poor enough to stay away froh But where did you see Andy?”
”Oh, he ith his crony, Sao, that Andy was to pay him a visit, but Andy didn't come then, for some reason or other I suppose this callstore”
”You didn't hear Andy say anything about co inventor's voice was a trifle anxious
”No,” replied Ned ”What makes you so nervous about it?”
”Well, Ned, you knohat Andy is--always trying toin et the secret of some of my airshi+ps and machinery And I admit I think it looks suspicious when they have a carpenter working on the old homestead
Andy may come back, and--”
”Nonsence, Tom! If he does you and I can handle him But I think perhaps the houseit up for a tenant It's been vacant a long time you know, and I heard the other day that it was haunted”
”Haunted, Ned! Get out! Say, you don't believe in that sort of bosh, do you?”
”Of course not It was Eradicate who told me, and he said when he caroans, and the clanking of chains cohts”
”Oh, ! Eradicate is getting batty in his old age, poor fellow! He and his uessthe to be rented It's too valuable a property to let stand idle Did you hear how long Andy was going to stay?”
”A week, I believe”