Skippy was right. Worrying about it wouldn't help. Devlin and Frost came downstairs a few minutes later and accused them, but they managed to stick to their guns. That they had taken the ladder seemed to have caused no suspicion; neither had the boys' frequent trips to the attic revealed how desperate had been their efforts to loosen the bars. Devlin seemed not to have noticed it. His mind was on the notebook and his face showed that he would not dismiss the topic easily. "Where is it?" he was saying. "Say, mister, what do we want with a darn old notebook anyway!" Skippy retorted. "Search us--search our whole room but you won't find it, 'cause what would we want with it, huh?" "That's what I'd like to know," Devlin said, narrowing his eyes. He turned to Nickie, "I think you picked that lock--what for?" "Aw, pipe down. Even if I did--what about it, hah? You can see that we didn't take anything an' if we had, what could we do with it? I guess you ain't worried that we got any money or anything like that, hah?" "Hear that, Frost? I guess they're telling the truth and that puts it up to you. You trying to double cross me?" "Say, I ain't that dumb, Boss," Frost protested. "Maybe you mislaid it or lost it." "Maybe--and maybe not." Then Devlin turned on his heel and left the room with Frost hopping after him protesting his innocence. But it was evident to the boys that Devlin suspected Frost for the dour looking leader returned soon muttering: "I'll get him yet." CHAPTER XXVIII THE MICE WILL PLAY It was apparent next day that relations were strained between the two men. Frost went about looking sullen and defiant and Devlin, when he was not up in his room sleeping, sat in the kitchen drinking coffee with ominous gravity. Late afternoon came and Devlin appeared dressed to go out. He strode about the kitchen several times, then walked to the door. Frost eyed him curiously. "Goin' out, Boss?" he asked. Devlin looked back and nodded. "I'll be back early tonight." He glanced at the boys. "You be ready to take a ride with Frost and me." He slammed the door and Nickie paled, noticeably. Frost sat idly at the table drumming his thick fingers upon the oilcloth cover. Skippy went to the window and watched until Devlin backed the big car out. Then he turned suddenly. "Say, mister," he said to Frost, "me an' Nickie know what Devlin'll take us on a ride for tonight." If Frost was surprised he did not show it. He glanced up at Skippy. "So you're a wise kid, hey?" "Nope, we just kept our ears open last night an' heard plenty. Devlin talked loud enough so we put two and two together. Anyhow we know Timmy never went out West--we know he's dead. Tucker got picked up in Chicago an' that put the bulls wise Devlin was in a new racket." Frost was aghast. "How do you--you...."