CHAPTER XXV.
NODDY'S QUEER ACTIONS.
For a few moments after Jerry had spoken neither Ned nor Bob knew whatto say. Events had happened so rapidly, and they seemed on the verge ofsuch 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 canonly wait and watch."
"Shall we do it together?" inquired Bob.
"Hardly that," spoke Jerry. "If he saw three of us on his trail he wouldprobably suspect something. I have a plan."
"What is it?" asked Ned.
"You know there are only three ways Noddy can take after he leaves hishouse," said Jerry. "He can go up town, down town or he can take theroad 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 cantake up the trail and if he goes out to the old mill I will go afterhim."
"All right," Jerry said. "That settles it. Now for home."
Little talk was indulged in. Each of the three chums felt that somethingof importance was to happen and their thoughts were too busy forconversation. In due time the boys separated, had their dinners andsuppers, and shortly before six o'clock met by appointment in the postoffice, 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 oldmill I'll follow."
They had long waits, for it was nearly nine o'clock before Noddy creptquietly from the rear door in the darkness of the night. He did not knowthat three pairs of sharp eyes watched his every movement. Peering onevery 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 ofthe 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. Hekept a sufficient distance in the rear so that he would not betrayhimself by the sound of his footsteps. It was quite dark, for there wasno moon, but the stars were bright.
"I wonder what he wants out here?" thought Jerry. "Is he going to meetsome one?"
To his surprise he saw Noddy, having halted in front of the desertedmill, enter the dark and uninviting place without hesitation.
"Ugh! I wouldn't care to go in there alone," thought Jerry. "It looksspooky!"
He dared go no closer than the dilapidated fence that surrounded thestructure. Crouching there in the shadow, he looked toward the mill, todiscern what went on. No one seemed to be waiting for Noddy, nor did thebully show by his actions that he expected any one. Shortly after he hadentered the place Noddy struck a light, as Jerry could see. It flickeredand moved about some, but seemed to be kept in one room. Then, in a fewminutes, the light went out, and Jerry heard footsteps approaching downthe gravel walk that led to the main entrance of the mill.
"He either went there to get something or hide something," Jerryreasoned. "If it was to hide something I may discover what it was. Ifit was to take something I have very little chance of success."
Still hiding in the shadow of the fence Jerry waited until Noddy hadpassed some distance down the road.
"I don't fancy going into that place very much," observed the boy, "butit's got to be done."
Considerably against his inclinations, Jerry took the dark path leadingto the old mill. He started at every sound, and when an owl hooted in anearby 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 asdark 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 waxend 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 upwhere it would give a good light. But nothing rewarded his search. Fromside to side he went. Then he held the light close to the floor. He hadgone over almost every foot of surface and found nothing.
"I guess it's a wild-goose chase," thought Jerry. "But I'm sure Noddydid 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 somewhatabove the others in the floor.
"Queer I didn't notice that before," said Jerry. He lowered the candlecarefully. "Looks as if it had been moved lately," he went on.
Thrusting his fingers beneath the edge of the board Jerry gave a strongpull. The plank did not budge. He tried again without success. At thethird attempt, however, his strength availed, and he felt the piece offlooring suddenly yield. So quickly did it come from its place in factthat Jerry fell backward, knocking out his candle and leaving himself inutter darkness.
Quickly searching in his pocket the boy found his matches, struck alight and ignited the candle end. Then, with swiftly beating heart hepeered down into the hole he had disclosed. He was rewarded by seeinga small wooden box, half covered with dirt and rubbish. With tremblingfingers Jerry drew it forth and held it close to the light. It was asquare wooden receptacle with a hinged cover.
"It's the box that was stolen from the mill with the thousand dollars init!" exclaimed Jerry.
He raised the cover. If he had had any doubts about his find they weredispelled when he saw the contents of the box. It was half filled withpapers, seemingly of no value, but bearing the name of Amos Judson.There were receipts, notes, bills and memoranda. But there was no traceof the money.
"I'll take this away," said the boy, "and have a talk with Ned and Bobabout it. I think--"
There came a sudden sound that startled the lad. It was as if some onehad stepped on the platform outside of the mill. Jerry quickly blew outhis candle. Then, as he heard an owl hoot, he knew it was the bird thathad made the noise, and breathed easier.
Not stopping to relight the candle, but replacing, as best he could inthe darkness the plank, so the hole would not be noticed on a casualinspection, Jerry hurried from the mill and made a quick trip to Ned'shouse. He felt that matters were now at a crisis.