Ben smiled faintly. “What’s the use of going? We couldn’t afford to hire a detective; it would cost more than the clean-up amounted to. Besides, the fellow’s got away by this time.” “You ’pear to take it mighty easy like. Might have killed you. I’d like ter give him a good drubbing on my own account,” said Mundon. Hodges cast a lowering look from one to the other. He was too stubborn to relinquish at once his theory that Mundon was guilty; yet the man’s bearing and conversation were puzzling. “He’s the boldest chap that ever lived, and Ben’s the greatest fool, or else I’m on the wrong tack,” he reflected. “I b’lieve I’ll find out whether he turned up at his hotel at three o’clock in the morning or not.” As soon as he heard the front door close upon Mundon, Ben called out to little Jim, who hung around the bed in mute sympathy, “Where’s Syd?” “He didn’t sleep at home last night,” the boy replied. Mr. Hodges looked surprised, and there was an awkward pause, during which Ben thought best to close his eyes again. “He said last night that he was goin’ to stay all night with Tom Miles, ’cause they was goin’ clammin’ early this mornin’,” Jim added. “Then, why didn’t you say so in the first place?” his father said, as he strode from the room. Ben’s pale cheeks had grown quite pink. “Jim,” he said in a low voice, “will you do something for me!” “Sure!” “Well, I wish you’d find out where Syd is and tell him I want to see him. You can tell him how I got hurt, and that nobody knows who did it. Tell him that the doctor says I’ll be all right in a few days.” “Is there anything else you’d like, Ben? ’Cause if there is, I’ve got a dollar and fifty-five cents what I’m a-savin’ up to buy a ‘safety’ with, and I’d jest as soon take some of it as not.” “No, thank you. Just do that one favor for me, and it’s all I’ll ask.” Jim departed, and in an hour or so reported that Sydney could not be found. Tom Miles had expected to dig for clams, but as Sydney had failed to put in an appearance he had given it up. Inquiry at the store where Sydney was employed developed the fact that he had not been seen there since the evening before. Shortly afterwards Beth and little Sue paid Ben a visit. By a few adroit questions Ben saw that they had no suspicion of Syd’s part in the night’s work. “If you’d only made the thief give up the gold it would have been some satisfaction,” Beth said. “Yes, that’s so. But this is only a scratch, anyway.” “You’ll have to be careful, the doctor says.” “I mean to be; but it frets me so to stay in bed that it does more harm than good. I want to see Mr. Hale.” “Yes; and you want to find the robber.” “Of course, if I can,” Ben wearily agreed. “But I sha’n’t waste much time on him.”