Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/126

112 Wadsworth. "But he and one of his friends passed the works just before the explosion."

The news of the robbery had upset the Wadsworth household completely. Mrs. Wadsworth was as much distressed as her husband, and Jessie was as pale as if seriously ill.

"Oh, Dave, supposing the jewels are not recovered!" said Jessie, when they met in the hallway. "It will ruin father,—I heard him tell mamma so!"

"We are going to get them back—we've simply got to do it," Dave replied.

"But how? Nobody seems to know what has become of the robbers."

"Oh, just wait, Jessie. We are sure to get some trace of them sooner or later."

"What makes you so hopeful, Dave?" and now the girl suddenly clutched his arm. "Have you a clew?"

"I think so, but I am not sure. I am going to talk to your father about it, and then I am going to take another look around Crumville and around the offices."

Dave's father and his Uncle Dunston had been out all day, and so had Phil and Roger and Ben, and a score of others, including the officers of the law. But nothing had been seen or heard of the mysterious men with the tool-bag. Another tramp