"He trotted all over the
county, selling books. For the love of it, do ye think? Not much. He
had other fish to fry, you may be sure. I talked with him the night
you dined at Green Fancy. He beat you to the Tavern, I dare say. It
was his second night on guard below the--below her window. He told me
how he shinned up and down one of these porch posts, so as not to let
old Jones get onto the fact he was out of his room. He had old Jones
fooled as badly--What are you glaring at HIM for? I was about to say
he had old Jones as badly fooled as you--or worse, damn him. Barnes,
if we ever lay hands on that friend of yours,--well, he won't have to
fry in hell. He'll be burnt alive. Thank God, my mind's at rest on one
score. SHE didn't skip out with him. They all think she did. Not one
of them suspects that she came away with you. There is plenty of
evidence that she let him in through her window--"
"All ready, O'Dowd," called Loeb. "Come along, please."
"Coming," said the Irishman. To Barnes: "Don't blame yourself, old
man. You are not the only one who has been hoodwinked. He fooled men a
long shot keener than you are, so--All right! Coming. See you later,
Barnes. So long!"
CHAPTER XVI
THE FIRST WAYFARER VISITS A SHRINE, CONFESSES, AND TAKES AN OATH
How was he to find the courage to impart the appalling news to her? He
was now convinced beyond all doubt that the so-called Sprouse had made
off with the priceless treasure and that only a miracle could bring
about its recovery.
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