Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/102

98 "A man with a green shade over one eye."

Bob could hardly keep from crying out. He was sure now that the two men he had heard talk about robbery in the bluff hide-out, had been in Fairview the day previous.

"He wanted something to eat," said the old maid. "I gave them their breakfast. Then the man asked for some money. I told him I had given him all I intended to. He acted sort of ugly, and I said I would call the marshal if he troubled me any more. Then he went away pretty quick."

"Thank you, Miss Simmons," said Bob. "You have told me just what I wanted to know."

"It won't—won't mix me in anything about those letters?" asked the old maid.

"No, indeed. I haven't mentioned about them, and I shan't. The man won't bother you any more, either, Miss Simmons."

Bob left the place with big thoughts in his mind. He was only a boy, but he felt that he had found out something that a grown man would be glad to learn.

"I'm going to do something about that robbery," said Bob to himself. "I hardly know what just yet, but I'll think out some way."

It was just after supper that Bob went over to the Haven place. Frank and Sammy were waiting for him.

"Any news of the robbers yet?" asked Bob.

"Not a word," replied Frank. "The marshal says he can't find that any tramps or strangers have been hanging around town lately."

Bob said nothing. He kept it to himself that the town marshal was mistaken.

"Well, fellows," he said, "I want you to join me in a hunt."