"As it happens she can, and that is just where her advantage comes in. But come, let us go." They passed out into Pell street. The rain had now almost ceased, and the wind had died away entirely, but the gutters were running rivers. "A tremendous amount of water must have fallen," Harry observed. "Indeed yes," replied Old King Brady. "It has been a terrible storm." He and Harry walked ahead. Ed walked behind, as there was not room enough on the narrow sidewalk for them to walk three abreast. "There is more to this case than appears on the surface," Old King Brady whispered to his partner. "It seems that this wretched girl has robbed Mr. Butler of three thousand dollars in cash, and also of a bunch of valuable papers. He does not want to get her back. His engaging us with that idea is merely a bluff for the benefit of the wife. He does want the papers, however, and if she will give them up he is willing that she shall keep the cash. I am sorry the man did not come himself. There seems to be some mystery about the papers which I fail to understand." "He makes no explanation of their contents?" "Nothing further than to say that their loss will probably involve him in a large loss of money. I don't just see what he can mean, for, as I understand it, Mr. Butler is merely working on a salary, and not a very heavy one at that." "I should like to see the letter. Perhaps I can make something more out of it." "Possibly, possibly, still I doubt it. I will show it to you first chance I get, and----Good heavens! What was that?" They had almost reached the point where Mott street joins with Pell. Suddenly a crash had sounded behind them, and with it came a cry in a boyish voice: "Help! Mr. Brady! Oh, help!" Knowing, of course, that it could be no one else than the boy, Ed Butler, the Bradys instantly turned. The boy had vanished. Chinamen were running across the street, others were hurrying forward on the same side of the way. There in the sidewalk was a large, gaping hole. Two of the flagstones, undermined by the storm, probably, had sunk down just as the Bradys stepped off them. Ed, less fortunate, had been caught in the break. "Bless my soul! This is a great piece of business," cried Old King Brady. Harry peered down into the hole. It seemed to be pretty deep and it was also very dark. Young King Brady could see nothing of the boy. "Hello down there, Ed! Are you hurt?" he called. "No; I'm all right. I went down with the stone. I'm not hurt a bit," came the answer, "but for heaven's sake get me out of here!" It was easier said than done. The chattering bunch of Chinks crowding around offered no help. "I don't see how in thunder we are going to get the boy up without a ladder," muttered Old King Brady. "And where will we find one?" echoed Harry. "That's the point. But here comes a policeman. Perhaps he can suggest----" Thus far in his speech Old King Brady got when there came another call for help.