Page:November Joe.pdf/117

 and looked in the cupboard; the black fox pelt was gone, of course!"

"What did Danny say about the man?"

"Said he had on a big hat and a neckerchief. He did n't speak a word; gave Danny sugar, as I have said. He must 'a' been here some time, for he's ransacked the place high and low, and took near every pelt I got this season."

Joe looked up. "Those pelts marked?"

"Yes, my mark's on some—seven pricks of a needle."

"You've looked around the house to see if he left anything?"

"Sure!" Sally put her hand in her pocket.

"What?"

"Only this." She opened her hand and disclosed a rifle cartridge.

Joe examined it. "Soft-nosed bullet for one of them fancy English guns. Where did you find it?"

"On the floor by the table."

"Huh!" said Joe, and, picking up the lamp, he began carefully and methodically to examine every inch of the room.