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178 "Why, yes, I have, in a way, Darry," responded Frank, "but it is all guess-work. I told you last night about some secret in his life."

"Yes, I know," nodded Darry.

"I also told you that I was convinced that Dale Wacker knew Markham, and that Markham for some reason dreaded meeting him."

"It certainly looked that way, judging from Markham's actions."

"Very well, I think they ran into each other after Markham went on the errand to you. Wacker is a blackmailer, as his talk to me about the puzzle plainly shows. Does he know something about Markham that might make him trouble? It certainly looks that way. He may have terrorized Markham into running away."

"All right, if that is true, then Markham, if he is an honest boy, will send back your money and the mailing lists."

"Of course he will," declared Frank. "I've been expecting to receive them every hour."

"And If he doesn't," suggested Darry, somewhat skeptically.

"If he doesn't," repeated Frank, slowly but steadily, "then make up your mind to one thing."

"And what is that?"

"That Markham is in the power of some one