Part 3 (1/2)
”That's what I thought you had told me,” resumed Ned, ”but I didn't pay any attention to it at the time, as I had no idea that the men were out of jail.”
”Well, what else happened?” inquired Tom
”Not much more. I apologized to the man, and he to me, and we let go of each other.”
”Are you sure about the ring on his finger?”
”Positive. His hand was right in the light. But wait, that isn't all.
I hurried on, not thinking much about it, when, I saw another man step out of the dark shadows of Peterby's grocery, just beyond the bank.
The man must have mistaken me for some one else, for he spoke to me.”
”What did he say?”
”He asked me a question. It was: 'Is there any chance to-night?'”
”What did you tell him?”
”Well, I was so surprised that I didn't know what to say, and, before I could get my wits together the man had seen his mistake and hurried on.
He joined the man I had collided with, and the two skipped off in the darkness. But not before a third man had come across the street, from in front of the bank, and hurried off with them.”
”Well?” asked Tom, as his chum paused.
”I don't know what to think,” resumed Ned. ”These men were certainly acting suspiciously, and, now that you tell me the Anson Morse gang is not locked up--well, it makes me feel that these must be some of their crowd.”
”Of course they are!” declared Tom positively. ”That blue ring proves it!”
”I wouldn't go so far as to say that,” declared Ned. ”The man certainly had a blue ring tattooed on his finger--the same finger where you say Happy Harry had his. But what would the men be doing in this neighborhood? They certainly have had a lesson not to meddle with any of your things.”
”No, I don't believe they are after any of dad's inventions this time.
But I tell you what I do believe.”
”What?”
”Those men are planning to rob the Shopton Bank, Ned! And I advise you to notify the officers. That Morse gang is one of the worst in the country,” and Tom, much excited, began to pace the room, while Ned, who had not dreamed of such an outcome to his narrative, looked startled.
Chapter 3
Whitewashed
”Let's tell your father, Tom,” suggested Ned, after a pause. ”He'll know what to do.”
”No, I'd rather not,” answered the young inventor quickly. ”Dad has had trouble enough with these fellows, and I don't want him to worry any more. Besides, he is working on a new invention, and if I tell him about the Happy Harry gang it will take his attention from it.”
”What invention is he planning now?”
”I don't know, but it's something important by the way he keeps at it.