“O, I am ready to do anything which will help uncover the matter.” “That’s my business with you just now. You found the boat in which the two men went over to the island?” “I did, as everybody knows.” “You ascertained to whom the boat belonged.” “Yes; it was Brown’s boat.” “Of course you were informed that some articles were missing from the boat.” “The painter and one fifty-six.” “Have you found these articles?” “No.” “Have you looked for them?” “Not particularly. We have looked for everything we could find.” “Have you any idea of the use to which the rope and the weight were applied?” “Not the least in the world.” “Perhaps these articles, if found, might throw some light upon the subject.” “Very true. I will search the shore again.” “Of course you will not find them on the shore. If you please, I will assist in the search.” The deputy sheriff looked as though he wanted to say that, if any man knew where to search for the rope and weight, Mr. Birch was the person; but he was polite enough not to say that, and it was agreed that the investigation should be commenced immediately after breakfast. Dick started for the hotel. On the way he passed the house of the town clerk. That functionary was at work in his garden, and the inquirer stopped to satisfy himself in regard to the record of the birth and death of Dr. Bilks’s baby. The official was communicative, and gave him all the information he required, verifying his statements by taking the early visitor into his office, and exhibiting the books. Dr. Bilks either had such a case as he represented, at the Settlement, or he had left no stone unturned to establish the apparent truth of what he asserted. Though the story was too ridiculous to be believed, Dick could not help thinking, once in a while, in the course of his investigations, that it was possible the doctor might be honest and conscientious. Dick’s relations with the cashier of the Poppleton Bank were in the highest degree pleasant and intimate. As the business man of Eugene Hungerford, Mr. Birch might make or unmake the bank. Some of the progressive and enterprising people of the Mills had already agitated the question of establishing a bank in the other village. Mr. Hungerford’s agent had influence enough with his employer to induce him to favor the new institution; therefore Mr. Birch was treated with profound deference and respect by the officials of the Poppleton Bank. Dick called at the house of the cashier, after he left that of the town clerk. It was mean and low to inquire impertinently into any man’s personal and private affairs, and nothing but the ends of justice could permit Dick to ask, or the cashier to answer, any questions in relation to Dr. Bilks’s balance at the bank.