NODDY’S QUEER ACTIONS.
For a few moments after Jerry had spoken neither Ned nor Bob knew what
to say. Events had happened so rapidly, and they seemed on the verge of
such a discovery, that they were startled. Jerry alone kept cool.
“What do you think Noddy will do?” asked Ned.
“I might make a dozen guesses and not hit it,” Jerry replied. “We can
only wait and watch.”
“Shall we do it together?” inquired Bob.
“Hardly that,” spoke Jerry. “If he saw three of us on his trail he would
probably suspect something. I have a plan.”
“What is it?” asked Ned.
“You know there are only three ways Noddy can take after he leaves his
house,” said Jerry. “He can go up town, down town or he can take the
road that leads out to the old wind mill.”
“That’s so,” came from Bob.
“Now my idea is that we all three ought to keep watch,” went on Jerry.
“If he goes up town Ned can follow him. If he goes down town Bob can
take up the trail and if he goes out to the old mill I will go after
him.”
“All right,” Jerry said. “That settles it. Now for home.”
Little talk was indulged in. Each of the three chums felt that something
of importance was to happen and their thoughts were too busy for
conversation. In due time the boys separated, had their dinners and
suppers, and shortly before six o’clock met by appointment in the post
office, which was a block from Noddy’s residence.
“Now remember,” said Jerry. “If he goes up town you are to follow, Ned.
Bob, it’s your turn if he goes down, and if he takes the road to the old
mill I’ll follow.”
They had long waits, for it was nearly nine o’clock before Noddy crept
quietly from the rear door in the darkness of the night. He did not know
that three pairs of sharp eyes watched his every movement. Peering on
every side of him the bully quickly made his way to the street. Then,
after a moment’s hesitation he started rapidly off in the direction of
the old mill.
“Here goes!” said Jerry, who was on the look-out.
Like a shadow he glided from his hiding place and was after Noddy. He
kept a sufficient distance in the rear so that he would not betray
himself by the sound of his footsteps. It was quite dark, for there was
no moon, but the stars were bright.
“I wonder what he wants out here?” thought Jerry. “Is he going to meet
some one?”
To his surprise he saw Noddy, having halted in front of the deserted
mill, enter the dark and uninviting place without hesitation.
“Ugh! I wouldn’t care to go in there alone,” thought Jerry. “It looks
spooky!”
He dared go no closer than the dilapidated fence that surrounded the
structure. Crouching there in the shadow, he looked toward the mill, to
discern what went on. No one seemed to be waiting for Noddy, nor did the
bully show by his actions that he expected any one. Shortly after he had
entered the place Noddy struck a light, as Jerry could see. It flickered
and moved about some, but seemed to be kept in one room. Then, in a few
minutes, the light went out, and Jerry heard footsteps approaching down
the gravel walk that led to the main entrance of the mill.
“He either went there to get something or hide something,” Jerry
reasoned. “If it was to hide something I may discover what it was. If
it was to take something I have very little chance of success.”
Still hiding in the shadow of the fence Jerry waited until Noddy had
passed some distance down the road.
“I don’t fancy going into that place very much,” observed the boy, “but
it’s got to be done.”
Considerably against his inclinations, Jerry took the dark path leading
to the old mill. He started at every sound, and when an owl hooted in a
nearby tree the boy jumped as if some one had yelled at him.
With beating heart he made his way into the deserted place. It was as
dark as a pocket and the boy struck a light.
“If I only had a candle,” he wished.
Hardly had he formed the thought when, glancing down, he saw a short wax
end on the floor. He picked it up.
“This is the light Noddy had,” reflected Jerry.
He lighted the wick, and the illumination somewhat dispelled the gloom.
With eager eyes he scanned the place. Moving about he held the candle up
where it would give a good light. But nothing rewarded his search. From
side to side he went. Then he held the light close to the floor. He had
gone over almost every foot of surface and found nothing.
“I guess it’s a wild-goose chase,” thought Jerry. “But I’m sure Noddy
did not go out of this room. I watched the light. Hello! What’s that?”
He had suddenly struck his foot against a board that projected somewhat
above the others in the floor.
“Queer I didn’t notice that before,” said Jerry. He lowered the candle
carefully. “Looks as if it had been moved lately,” he went on.
Thrusting his fingers beneath the edge of the board Jerry gave a strong
pull. The plank did not budge. He tried again without success. At the
third attempt, however, his strength availed, and he felt the piece of
flooring suddenly yield. So quickly did it come from its place in fact
that Jerry fell backward, knocking out his candle and leaving himself in
utter darkness.
Quickly searching in his pocket the boy found his matches, struck a
light and ignited the candle end. Then, with swiftly beating heart he
peered down into the hole he had disclosed. He was rewarded by seeing
a small wooden box, half covered with dirt and rubbish. With trembling
fingers Jerry drew it forth and held it close to the light. It was a
square wooden receptacle with a hinged cover.
“It’s the box that was stolen from the mill with the thousand dollars in
it!” exclaimed Jerry.
He raised the cover. If he had had any doubts about his find they were
dispelled when he saw the contents of the box. It was half filled with
papers, seemingly of no value, but bearing the name of Amos Judson.
There were receipts, notes, bills and memoranda. But there was no trace
of the money.
“I’ll take this away,” said the boy, “and have a talk with Ned and Bob
about it. I think--”
There came a sudden sound that startled the lad. It was as if some one
had stepped on the platform outside of the mill. Jerry quickly blew out
his candle. Then, as he heard an owl hoot, he knew it was the bird that
had made the noise, and breathed easier.
Not stopping to relight the candle, but replacing, as best he could in
the darkness the plank, so the hole would not be noticed on a casual
inspection, Jerry hurried from the mill and made a quick trip to Ned’s
house. He felt that matters were now at a crisis.