Part 14 (2/2)
”I should say so,” commented Mr Appelby ”Maybe he lost his head on account of the fire”
”And he lost his manners, too,” added Vincent, at the recollection of Muchmore's mean words
”Well, the house is safe noent on Mr Appelby ”I guess we can leave I suppose Muchather up the buckets, Sagger, and go hoet a little ade soon left, and, a little while later, the young fire over the events of the night They all agreed that they had been anization
”I think Muchht have at least thanked us,” said Tom Donnell
”He didn't show up after his queer actions”
”There's so funny about that man,” declared Bert ”I never saw a person act so suspiciously He see”
”Maybe he was,” said George Perkins
”What?” asked several of his coae ”Heoutfit in some of those rooms, and didn't want you to discover it”
”Who told you he was a gaent He sees hi the train to the city every once in a while, and one day he saw hiaht”
”Do you suppose he has gaames in that house?” inquired Tom Donnell ”I shouldn't be surprised”
”I wonder if Mr Stockton knows it?” ventured Bert ”I heard my mother say Mr Stockton was a very fine man, and I don't believe he would allow that if he knew it”
”nobody's liable to tell hie ”He seems to have disappeared That's another queer part of it The station agent, who knows Mr Stockton quite well, doesn't reo from here to New York, if he sailed for Europe, which is the story Muche”
”Boys,” said Bert suddenly, ”I believe there is soht so when I sa queer Muche tells me, I am more than ever inclined to that belief”
”What can we do about it?” asked Vincent
”Maybe we can investigate,” went on Herbert, ”I'd like to find out oing there toested Cole
”And be put out for our pains,” objected Vincent ”No, I'uess that will be best, for a time,” decided Bert
CHAPTER XII
SAGGER'S FIRE LOSS
Though the boys were not thanked by Muchood work at the blaze in the Stockton mansion, the lads knew that they had done efficient service Herbert, however, was not satisfied with his departs we'll have to do better,” he told Vincent and Cole, the next day ”We get in each other's way, and we're not quick enough Why, it took ten ht”