The Dugdale Millions — page 246: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

236 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. Ransom produced a large paper box from which he took the tin ones he had stolen the night previous. In the first there were nothing but the private papers of Mr. Stanton relating to transactions long since closed and of no significance. The other was filled with receipted bills, many of them of ancient date. The conspirators were dumfounded. The box, to secure which a burglary had been committed, had not been obtained. ‘They were in great danger—as great as when Dick first learned of its existence. Worse, indeed, for now burglary had been added to compli- cate the situation. They stood blankly looking at each other. Ransom broke the silence by cursing the woman who had misled them. ‘‘We are in great danger,’’ said Moore. ‘‘And because we don’t know where the box is and what is in it,’’ added Orton Pierson. ‘‘Because we don’t know what they know,’’ growled Ransom. “You all forget that Mason says that three were taken,’’ suggested Bob. ‘‘T’ll swear I took but two,’’ protested Ransom— ‘fall there was there.’’ ‘“‘Well,’’ said Bob thoughtfully, ‘‘this is the point. Mason says three boxes are missing. Ransom says there were only two there—these are the ones. It seems to me that Mrs. Stanton either weakened or something interfered to prevent her carrying out her agreement with me. She may have that box con- cealed and is giving it out that it went with the rest. They knew the box, for Mason spoke of it. If she has got it she will keep it concealed.’’ ‘*But you don’t know,”’ insisted Ransom, *‘and our hands are tied until you do.’’ ‘‘Here is my point,’’ continued Bob, ‘‘this Mrs. Jenkins lives in Philadelphia. Let Moore go and find her out. It ought not to be much of a hunt and Comicbookkxs C@© 3