“Thank you, sir,” said our hero, as he folded up the check, put it in his pocket, and prepared to leave. As he turned he came face to face with Barton Sandow. It would be hard to say who was the more surprised, the man or Tom. Mr. Sandow started, and seemed about to say something. “Ah, are you acquainted?” asked Mr. Leeth in surprise. “I have met Mr. Sandow,” replied Tom, while Dr. Spidderkins’ brother-in-law murmured something unintelligible. Then, as the man who had called Tom a gutter-pup did not notice him, the boy passed out. “I wonder what he’s doing in there?” our hero thought, as he walked down the dimly-lighted corridors. “And he must have been referring to Dr. Spidderkins, when he spoke of the money and papers. I wonder if the old doctor is safe with those two?” he went on, as he thought of the queer actions of Mr. and Mrs. Sandow, and how incapable the aged physician, with his failing memory, was of looking out for his own interests. Though he did not know it then, Tom had made quite a discovery that night. CHAPTER XII SEEKING INFORMATION Though he was very busy the next day, Tom could not help thinking, several times, of the scene he had witnessed the night before, when he received the check. “I wish I had listened more closely to what Sandow said,” he mused. “If I had known it was he, I would have done so. Let me see, it was something about bringing the money and the papers, and that he had a hard time getting the money because the old doctor was getting suspicious. Then he said something about trusting to his faulty memory, and that was all. “I’m sure he must have referred to Dr. Spidderkins. I don’t like the look of that Sandow, and his wife isn’t much better. From what I’ve seen they have the old gentleman right under their thumb, and I guess they could almost make him believe black was white, because he can’t remember five minutes at a time, unless it has to do with some book. I wish I knew whether they were doing anything to make trouble for him. Maybe I’d better speak to some one about it.” But, the more Tom thought of it, the less he liked to mention it to any member of the firm for whom he worked. He had not been there long enough to venture on any confidences, and he realized that the lawyers were too busy to pay attention to any matters that did not directly concern them. “I guess I’ll ask a few questions of Charley Grove,” he concluded. “I’ll see him this noon at the restaurant.” Tom made no mistakes that morning, and was in better spirits when he went out for his noonday meal. He found his chum waiting for him, and, when he had a chance, spoke of his trip the night previous, to get the check. “That woman thought she was going to put me off,” said Tom, “but I guess I surprised her, when I offered to go for the cash. I met Barton Sandow in Mr. Leeth’s office,” he added, as though it was of no importance.