Bradley did not answer for a moment. Then from a pigeon hole in his desk he took a packet of papers and selected one. "Yes," he said, gravely. "I put ten thousand of her money in those very bonds. My brokers up in Boston recommended them strongly as being a safe and good investment.... And now perhaps you'll tell us why you asked about that?" Sears' brows drew together. Here was his vague theory on the way, at least, to confirmation. "You tell me somethin' more first," he said. "'Tisn't likely you've got the numbers of those bonds on that piece of paper, is it?" "Likely enough. I've got the numbers and the price I paid for 'em. Why?" Kendrick took his memorandum book from his pocket. "Were two of those numbers A610,312 and A610,313?" he asked. Bradley consulted his slip of paper. "No," he replied. "Nothing like it." "Eh? You're sure?" "Of course I'm sure. Say, what sort of a trustee do you think I am?" Sears did not answer. If the lawyer was sure, then his "theory," instead of being confirmed, was smashed flat. "Humph!" he grunted, after a moment. "Do you mind my lookin' at that paper of yours?" Bradley pushed the slip across the desk. The captain looked at it carefully. "Humph!" he said again. "You're right. And those are five hundred dollar bonds, all of 'em. Well, that settles that. And now it's all fog again.... Humph! In a way I'm glad--but---- Pshaw!" "Yes. And _now_ maybe you'll tell me what you're after? Don't you think it's pretty nearly time?" "Why, perhaps, but I'm afraid that's what I can't tell--you or anybody else.... Bradley, just one more thing. Do you happen to know whether there was any of those Boston bonds in Lobelia Phillips' estate? That is, did any of 'em come to her husband from her?" The lawyer's answer was emphatic enough. "Yes, I do know," he said. "There wasn't any. Those bonds are a brand new issue. They have been put out since her death." Here was another gun spiked. Kendrick whistled. Bradley regarded him keenly. "Cap'n," he demanded, "are you on the trail of that Eg Phillips? Do you really think you've got anything on him? Because if you have and you don't let me into the game I'll never forgive you. Of all the slick, smooth, stuck-up nothings that---- Say, have you?" Kendrick shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Squire," he observed. "And, at any rate, I couldn't tell you, if I had. ... Eh? And _now_ what?" For the lawyer had suddenly struck the desk a blow with his hand. He was fumbling in another pigeon-hole and extracting therefrom another packet of papers. "Cap'n Kendrick," he said, "I know where there are--or were, anyhow--more of those Boston 4-1/2s." "Eh? You do?" "Yes. And they were thousand dollar bonds, too.... Yes, and.... Give me those numbers again." Sears gave them. Bradley grinned, triumphantly.