Part 13 (2/2)
”He hasn't much of a chance to do that. But I presume the police will keep their eyes open.”
”I was over to Auburn yesterday--had to go to see about a mortgage on our farm--and I stopped into one of them p.a.w.nbrokin'
shops to buy a shot-gun, if I could git one cheap. While I was in there a big boy came in and p.a.w.ned a gold watch an' two s.h.i.+rt studs.”
”Is that so,” returned Tom, with much interest. ”What kind of a looking boy was it?”
”A tall, slim feller, with reddish hair. He had sech s.h.i.+fty eyes I couldn't help but think that maybe he had stolen them things jest to raise some spending money.”
”Did he give his name?”
”He said Jack Smith, but I don't think thet vas correct, for he hesitated afore he gave it.”
”A tall, slim fellow, with reddish hair and s.h.i.+fty eyes,” mused Tom. ”Do you remember how he was dressed?”
”He had on a rough suit of brownish-green and a derby hat with a hole knocked in one side.”
”My gracious me!” burst out the boy. ”Can it be possible!”
”Can wot be possible, lad?”
”That description fits one of our students exactly.” Tom called to d.i.c.k and Sam. ”Come up here, both of you!”
”What's up, Tom; do you feel worse?” asked d.i.c.k, as he wheeled as closely to the seat of the wagon as possible.
”No, I feel better. But I've made a big discovery--at least, I feel pretty certain that I have?”
”What discovery?” questioned Sam.
”I've discovered who stole that money and other stuff.”
”And who was it?” came quickly from both brothers.
”Jim Caven.”
CHAPTER X
A STRANGE MESSAGE FROM THE SEA
”Jim Caven!” repeated d.i.c.k slowly, ”What makes you believe that he is guilty?”
”From what Mr. d.i.c.kerson here says,” answered Tom, and repeated what the farmer had told him.
”Gracious, that does look black for Caven!” said d.i.c.k, when he had finished. He turned to the farmer. ”Would you recognize that boy again if you saw him?”
”I allow as how I would. His eyes was wot got me--never saw sech unsteady ones afore in my life.”
”Yes, those eyes put me down on Caven the minute I saw him,”
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