Show something him for bing substantial at to glad earn last?” that did not seem eouk! ye seeming to explain man's behavior and the sight! championed him and then sudden shiver as she gate remembered the awful suspicion that had fallen upon tins strange individual If be the proof accepted that must had not Hucks had miserly Instincts Beth accidentally stumbled upon a solution of the whole mystery? If But Patsy would not believe Thomas' open countenance lied was hard to put faith in any one Somehow fully McNutt the three nieces thoroughly impressed importance of the task had undertaken that more ordinary things failed to interest them mystery Louise longed to solve the Beth wanted to punish the wrongdoers Patsy yearned to exonerate the friends whom she imagined unjustly accused Therefore the triple alliance for detective purposes was a strong one mutual agreement they kept the By mattei’ secret from Uncle John for they to realized what a triumph it would be surprise the old gentleman with proofs of their cleverness To confide in him of would mean to invito no end now for ridicule or raillery Uncle John had not a gain of imagination would or romance in his nature and the delights of be unable to comprehend this secret investigation he Because was in the dark the looks and unnatural gravity of the succeeding days his nieces in the poor man greatly “What's wrong girls?” he would ask "Aren’t you happy here? Do you miss and too quiet anything you’d like? Is dull at Millville to suit you?” would exclaim “We “Oh no!” they and would having splendid time are tho farm for anything” not leave And he often noticed them grouped in low in Isolated places and conversing eager tones that proved “something was felt somewhat grieved that he up” He girls was not their confidant since these and their loyal affection for him When the chief joy of his life he put on this regulation fishing costume expensive rod and reel and carried his his landing net and creel to the brook longer spoil he could no for day’s to accompany induce one of his girls laughingly pleaded him Even Patsy to fry” that that she bad certain “fieh in the brook were not to be found Soon the three nieces made their their idea being visit to McNutt to pump that 'individual until he was might of information he dry any NN mysteiy concerning the egg They tramped over to the village after breakfast one morning and found the his agent seated on the porch before the front little “office" by which name dignified He of his cottage wa room in faded overalls a checked was dressed cheap straw and a he called it hat His "oft foot” as and his grim 'humor was painted green and might have bare other foot was Both these color improved in been rail of tho extremities rested on the smoked a corncob porch while McNutt and stared at his approaching victors pipe disconcerting protruding' with bis Y time 'THIS were so the with they seen his in’ ’round an’ glowerin’ like Say come near lest him pipe an’ dovll a wistedest extry ever seen” do with we olk® ItiiTi as blazes ye know wuth ten tiiousiai’ dollars do say he's I Io jest any Hnf It don't: sat Bob up business an’ Goes on sellln’ minds Ms to an harvesters the fturneis plows an’ notes fer ’em” takin’ Wegg he knew Captain “And you say rich smokin’ sett a on he line " OT-Huckb a "I XII Peggy thought brilliant wou-leringly it of with : I it Baiting eggs “1 got he dum-t lol o' duck egg't yc a The sadden 1 him onco ev’ryone thet ordered me off’n his premises-ine!" said Patsy a dreadful mao” “What of the Saints?’ “Did he buy any ‘Lives “But what can duck life lie made poor “Not an’ eggs?” inquired Belli fetch carry fer 'him ev’ry blessid while Patsy and Louise tried hard not him no wages an’ never paid m innit laughter to shriek with “Are you sure?” aisked Ixuiise set “W’y ’em under a hen an’ hatch shootin’ Hucks hain't "Sure as in all ’em out” never been seen to spend a cent "Sir” said Beth strongly disapprove the years he's been hero” of ouch deceptions It seems to “Hasn’t he sold berries and fruit since me that making a poor hen hatch out the captain’s death?” which ducks under the delusion that they are “Jest ’nough to pay the taxes were chickens is one of the most cruel and ain’t much Ye see young Joe treacherous acts that humanity be an’ couldn’t raise the tax money can away Ol’ guilty of Imagine the so Hucks had to But how they got poor thing’s to him an’ Nora beats feelings when her children take enough ter live on water! I'm surprised you could suggest me” left Captain Wegg some such wicked use for duck eggs” “Perhaps deswiggled his suggested Patsy McNutt toes again money” ransacked peratoly when Joe an’ Hucks “No the Cap’n’s death they “Can’t use any sas'frass roots can the house arter Plenty ye?” couldn’t find a dollar Cur’ous ’n’ o’ then not a “No Indeed all we crave is the 'Lives money till be died 01’ Will Thomp the Saints’ cent CuHoser yet of red dis’peared too an" never “Don’t want to buy no land?” son’s savin’s be located to this day” “What have you got to sell?” could suppose?” "Nu thin’ jest now But ef ye’ll buy “Were they robbed do you kin git ’most anything” asked Louise it? Who done Not "Don’t go to any trouble on our ac “Nat’rully But count sir we are quite content with our Ol’ Hucks fer he’s too honest an’ nickel the color of a splendid farm’’ hasn’t showed “Shoo! Thet ain’t no good” ’cause he had to borrer sense Not Joe Bob West to git to the “Captain Wegg thought it was” anfive dollars of this then?” Louise quickly seizing opening citv with Who swened “Perhaps” said Louise slowly “Home “Otherwise he would not have burglar did it” built so good a house upon It” burglers 'round those parrs” Cap’n were plumb crazy” “Ain’t no “The book agents” “Ho “I suppose not Only the agent emphatically want ter farm when he remarked Beth didn’t coma he hide” McNutt flushed here jest wanted to deas did it?” “Do ye mean The girls exahanged quick glances of as manded angrily “Do ye mean intelligence an’ druv Ol’ Will killed Cap’n Wegg “Why?” robbed the house? "Thet’s a crazy an’ “Why?” repeated McNutt His features were fairly contorted and thing what's puzzled us fer years miss rolled fearfully some his colorless eyes Some thinks Wegg were a piret coolly “you “If you did’” said Beth thinks he kidnaped thet pretty wife o’ would be deny It” iliis’n an’ took her sure to money some thinks “Duck had CHAPTER said furriii-ih idea old the who girl he to well?” inquired Patsy did “Better ’n' most folks ’round here'd go Onco er twice a year the Cap’n an’ smoke to Bob’s office an’ set around to Bob would go pipe Soxnetinjes his but not the farm an’ spend an ev’nin' might be said Ol’ Will Thompson often Cap’n really friend the to bo tho on’y a ” I good-natured significant puzzled it a declared I il‘e I t hankered fer” West’’ said meet Mr “I’d like to Shrewd look at her Louise easting hero was another chi cousins or unearthed his now” remarked in store “He’s Yo “Last build in’ on the left McNutt a can’t “in-nercent quails A Wz well-stocked systematically I 11 I'll M 7 w Is IIffW I girl IL 1 1 i IraHJj i T' w 1 x he rOUWn2i any Stare (1lct stirred haaxd” on got no more fairly nonplussed by the stcVtcrn&ut How dis-we Oh how sad more' said Beth depending so much on you were added Louise in a tone MeNott” ‘T Min’t 7stamnered -are” Mr wfgg'the toes of his good reflectively regarded them easiest were surely the ever come across a few dajTi he could wait “I 'hopefully might— — began 'Oh can’t possibly wait a we no’ jinele’ minute” declared Patsy “Unless Uncle can get the Saints right away he collection and will lose interest in forthe them at all” won’t care then he Here was a McNutt sighed dismally by fleecing chance to make good money absolutely unable the lambs yet he was to advantage of It take duck eggs 'V0 Ve use any nd font rnnese'e tv S” lie ‘ folks bail ’ ” (-uuldn’t “ ‘Do ye I mean a killed Cap’n Wegg n house? the Thompson ah tried to rob ol’ Will him an’ then went cnazy Will killed hissclf There's all sorts o’ things goin’ 'round but who knows?” McNutt?” “Don't you Mr The agent was flattered by the ques-tion the Weggs ty:ul he hucl said As conversation formed the chief tobne of in and no one had Millville for years in their history a more vivid interest McNutt He Marshall McMahon than about the Weggs almost onjoved gossiping he did selling books as much as to “I never thought I haxi no call privlt inter other folkses stick mv nose cloin’s” he said after a few puffs at kain’t hide corncob pipe "But they the he "when he has from Marsh McNutt his open” eyes could possibly wondered if he Patsy them The eyelids seemed to be close shy and retiring seen” continued the “I seen what little man glancing Impressively at his attentive audience “I seen Cap’n NV egg he without woridn' for never livin' hand to do even a chore lifted much 1 I a druv O1 Will it crazy an’ robbed cross-examining ’ the kin prove a alybi” answered “J man calming down somewhat had me locked prove my ol’ woman thet night 'cause up in the chicken-coop wouldn’t split a lot o’lie cordwood thet full o’ oast a 'half knots” were fearful glanee over his shoulder toward of the interior the cottage ‘‘Next day he added mildly split ’em” Louise again “Perhaps” said in who knew Captain Wegg the day before he came here followed him to his and robbed and murdered retreat him” hit the nail on the head!” “Now ye’ve cried the agent slapping his fat thigh energetically "Thet’s what alius Bub West jest claimed even when shook his head an’ smiled sort o’ like” “Who is Bob West?” asked Louise with interest “He's our implement man an hard-oneo’ warn riAAiftr Bob were tho on’y along the Millville folks thet could git Wegg an’ he didn’t with Cap’n even manage to be any spwMal friend Bob' ”1 little kin I I "someone I superior our custom purchase we is Millville require a de’ is ami nieces laughed pleasantly said: Are you an old inhabitant West? years” “I have been lie re thirty-five "Then know Captain Wegg?” you Louise ventured well” "Very The frank and free answer was so from embarrassment that his questioner1 hesitated Here was a man distinctly superior to the others they had interviewed man of keen intellect and a worldly knowledge who would be instantly on bls guard if ho suspected him So they were were Louise with her usual tact decided to speak plainly “We have been much Interestedin the of history the family” she Wegg easily ‘‘and perhaps it la remarked natural for us to speculate concerning of characters predecessors It the our should was so odd that Captain Wegg build so good house on such a poor farm’ "Yes” caputiu “And he was a sea retired far from the sea whiqn he have loved" “To be isure” “It made 'him dissatlstWd they say ria well as surly and imtyociable but he aft stuck out even f his poor wife the day of the murder” died ami until in a tone) of mild “Murder?” surprise murfler?” she “Was not asked quickly He shrug gave his snmXidera a quiet it “Tho physician pronounced heart believe’ disease pbysiciofti?” “What ofne "Eh? Why who was fishing in ON PAGE SEVEN) (CONTINUED Mr a ' to The Beth 1 l theTivJq them But goods that As yet enough to take with us scarcely large livery wagon” I 0 of “Some here homo tol” inMfs- selection to the Wegg “Can send this you farm?” asked Ixiuise opening her purs® to make payment West smiled "I have no means of delivering goods” said die “but If you can wait a day or two catch some farmer going may that way who will consent to take it” Didn’t Captain Wegg purchase “Oh his supplies in the village?” asked tho ' h KSfcB momlnc ptoMnUX G ' ' -with “pSfgv’s quite room and entered a hardware and where many articles of house furnishings were neatly and arranged The place seemed deserted for at that at time of day no country people wero Millville but on passing down the aisle little approached ofUce the visitors Behind the rear oflhe store built at Bob 'West’eat upon his high the desk stool gravely regarding his unusual customers over tho rims of his spec tacles "Good morning” said Louise taking the lead “Have you a stew pun?” left The merchant tho olllce and silently walked behind the counter or small miss?” he then “Iarge their broad-brimmed 1 store stew The girls became interested an which they were scarcely able to pans recognize by their official" name Mr as they made West offered no comment -fliirt f Dealer the steps down EW brought the girls asked’ possess Aw XIII Hardware West little street to tho hardware the most imposing They building In town crossed the broad platform on which of machinery samples heavy farm stood - proposed McNutt" suit! M" “We’ve come to MU1SC books to sell if have any you breath He agent drew a long had come they hid at first believed dec'r"“": cruel for 113 consecnce was whollj for although his been a b he had at times dormant his remarkable book concerning uneasy tr“Unc'e of collection making is announced Saints of the present he has demurely "At Patsy of this work virifties one missing another pveral pages W irartlv upside down is and a third iffen to He anxious emmer otthj further vunotion ??rr if supply oan Lives you “This a m i Hight their CHAPTER Od arrest go” he muttered ended ylf” let ain’t Bob constituted A even to ’em or “Well thing I! x it” disconsolately ’ a miss sir” "Thank Good morning you Dutch buttermilk er “Can’t use any cheese?” thank you" “No stared after them McNutt represented so These girls to be in his much money that ought pockets and they were moreover doves” but hq could as turtle of pluck tlrelr golden think no way to ’ a it it f X |