“Search them, then,” said Nick. “You know the rooms better than we do.” “We can look through the rooms later, after the women are taken away,” said the proprietor, “but I want the women searched now. I believe they have my money on their persons.” “They will be searched at headquarters,” replied the detective. “Well,” continued the enraged owner of the place, “if you have done your work here, I want you to get out. I must get things in shape again.” The women flushed painfully when they heard the mention of police headquarters. “I never took his money,” one of them said. “I don’t believe he ever had the sum he mentions.” “I am willing to be searched now,” said the other. “Speaking of this Hughart,” said the proprietor, “Molly, that woman there,” pointing to the one Nick desired to question closely in time; “that woman Molly is the one who had the scheme on with him. She knows where he is if any one does.” “Where was she last night?” asked Nick. “I don’t know where she was. She was not seen about the place.” “I was in my room,” replied Molly. “I know better,” declared the proprietor. “You were out all evening. Come, now, you dig down and produce that money, or I’ll send you over the road.” “I haven’t got your money,” declared Molly. “And when it comes to talk about sending me over the road, that is a game two can play at. You had better be careful what you say and do, Ben Hall. If you accuse me of taking your money, I’ll get even with you, and you may depend upon it.” Angry as he was over his loss, Hall hesitated. “I may be mistaken,” he said finally, turning to Nick. “I think I was a little hasty. If you’ll give me a chance to talk with Molly alone, I think we can fix it up.” “Not at present,” was Nick’s reply. Then he added: “You do not accuse the other woman?” “Carrie? No. Carrie’s all right. I don’t know as Molly took the money, but it looks suspicious.” “Then there is nothing to hold Carrie for?” “Not a thing, and you may as well release Molly, too. We can square our little matter between ourselves.” “I’ll have to hold Molly,” said Nick. Molly looked disappointed. In a moment she turned and whispered to Carrie, taking good care that not a word should be overheard. She spoke rapidly, and Carrie nodded now and then to show that she understood. “What is all this talk about?” demanded Hall. “I’m sending her after a lawyer and a bondsman, and after my laundry,” replied Molly, with warmth. “You don’t think I’m going to remain in jail, do you?” “Oh, I’ll attend to that,” said Hall. “Indeed you won’t,” said the woman. “You’ve got your foot in it now, and you’ll kindly let me alone. I’ll attend to you later.” “What have I said?” asked Hall. “You said I was mixed up in the scheme to throw down the chief. I wasn’t.” “Yes, you were,” roared Hall; “and the boys think you are trying to throw them down. You can’t square yourself with them very easily, I can tell you that.” “I don’t care what the boys think,” said Molly.