Presently I passed the spot where Ford and I had captured Carney. The remembrance of the occurrence brought to mind Mr. Norton’s valise and the letters that had been missing from it. In the rush of other events, this had slipped my mind; but now I determined to make a search for the documents. I found the exact spot where Carney’s boat had been beached, and soon discovered his footprints in the soil near by. I had hardly got thus far, when I saw something white on the ground just ahead. I rushed forward, and in a moment held in my hand the precious letters for which I was seeking. They were three in number, and bound around with an elastic. Why Carney had thrown them away without looking in them, I did not know; but later on found out that he could not read. I hastily opened one of the letters. It was short, and ran as follows:―― NEW YORK, JUNE 6. DEAR BIXBY,―― Will be on hand in Chicago as soon as I can arrange with Avery. He will meet us at Bayport when desired. MARTIN YATES. The second letter was of more importance. BAYPORT, JULY 23. DEAR BIXBY,―― Avery and I are here awaiting you. So are the diamonds. Why fool with that boy, even though his father is dead! If you try to impersonate his uncle, even though he was your cousin, you may get into trouble, and I cannot see how it is going to benefit us much, except to afford some kind of a hiding-place if we get in a tight fix. Will be near the mill when wanted. M. Y. As I read this letter the tears sprang into my eyes. Then my father was really dead! It was a cruel thought, and one that so unnerved me that I could hardly read the third communication. BIXBY,―― All is ready for the final move. Destroy this letter, so if you get caught we will not be known. I think you acted like a fool in going to the mill at all, there was so little money in the scheme; but you always were a queer stick. I intend to impersonate the boy during the evening. I have one of his old coats, also his cap. It will mix matters up and be the better for us. Carney does what he is told and don’t know any better. Watch Avery. He is rather soft and may back out. That boy is no fool, and if you get your fingers burnt it will be your own fault. M. Y. I folded up the letters and put them into my pocket. I had learned much from them. Norton Bixby was my real uncle’s cousin; Yates had done me the injury of appearing in my coat during the evening at Bayport, and raised the impression that I was in town; and my father was no more.