Part 73 (1/2)
But all was in its ordinary state in the workshop, and after a sharp investigation, Tom was on his way to the steps, when David looked at him in a half-injured way as if disappointed
”What, arn't nothing stole here, sir?”
”No; everything seeht they'd ha' took the spacklu while they was about it”
Butreached
On the whole the place looked undisturbed, save that a rug or two had been kicked up, and a chair tilted over against the wall; but at the second glance To him was the old walnut bureau, with its drawers open, and the contents tuht especially taking To nearly out and was perfectly empty
There had not been e paper envelope, which contained the docue visit was paid These had evidently gone; what else had been taken it was impossible to say
”They've been at it here, Master Tom, haven't they?”
”I'o and fetch the policeman directly, sir?”
”No,” said Tom decisively ”We must wait till uncle coht away, sir, 'fore he coht away, David,” said Tom; and he told his coht necessary
”Oh, why didn't you coardener reproachfully ”If I'd been there we could ha' captivated 'em, for there must ha' been two That there ladder couldn't ha' lifted itself up again, and stood ready for the one inside to get down”
”Yes, there htfully
”You should ha' coot as ht to take care o' master's property when he's out as you have”
”I never thought of it, David”
”It's on'y three 'undered and forty-nine yards and a half to ht o' me”
”I only wish I had,” said Tolad to have you”
”Well, sir, there's so in that,” said David, but only to repeat himself in a reproachful tone--”It was on'y three 'undered and forty-nine yards, and what's that to a young gent like you”
”It can't be helped now, David Let's go up-stairs”
Tom felt stiffer as he went up the step-ladder, and the whole business of the struggle in the dark came back as they stood in the observatory, where all seemed to be correct, save an overturned stool, and the position of the telescope in the one fro”
”Oh, but theyelse, sir”
”Perhaps so, but I cannot see what”
”Then that's because you disturbed 'e when you come Tend upon it that was it Oh, I do wish I'd been there just at the bottom of the ladder ready to nab 'em as they come down Say, Master Tom--think your uncle kep' his ?”
”I think he used to keep a little bag of change there,” replied Tohtfully; and it seemed more probable that the thieves were after that than in search of papers, which could have been of no earthly use to theh the draas nearly eet hold o' one of 'em, sir?” said David, after a pause