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180 think they are working this game between them."

"But why would they take mamma away after they had the fortune?"

"Because the fortune is not all in gold. There is some very rare jewelry and precious stones. The thieves would have trouble in disposing of those things unless they had some semblance of a legal right to do so. If Mr. Crabtree was your mother's husband he could take the jewelry and precious stones and sell them, and nobody would prosecute him."

"Oh, Dick, what shall I do?"

"I don't know that you can do anything, Dora. My advice is, that you go over and stay with the Lanings, and let us try to solve this mystery. We'll do all we can, and we'll make the authorities do all they can, too."

"The Cedarville police are of no account—in a matter of such importance."

"I know that. Father sent to New York for a couple of first-class detectives. Perhaps they'll be able to get on the trail quicker than any of us realize." But though Dick spoke thus it was more to allay Dora's anxiety than through any faith in what the sleuths of the law might be able to accomplish.

The matter was talked over a little longer, and then Dora dressed and packed her suit-case and