They found nothing disturbed in most of the rooms, but when they inspected the library all set up a shout.
"The safe!" "It has been blown open!" "Yes, and look, the contents are scattered all over the floor!" It was true, the small safe that was located under a bend of the stairs had been drilled and the door blown asunder.

On the floor of the library lay the shattered door and likewise several bundles of papers and legal-looking documents.

They also saw a case that had contained silverware.
"Wonder how much he took ?" said Pepper.
"He took something, that is sure," answered Jack.
"We must have come in right after he blew the safe open," said Andy.
"Boys, I think we ought to notify the authorities at once, and also notify the Fords," cried Jack.

"This is a serious piece of business." "Let us go to the nearest farmhouse and tell the folks," suggested Andy.
He hardly uttered the words when a loud ring at the front door of the mansion made every cadet jump.
"There is somebody now!" cried Fred.
"I'll see who it is," said Pepper, and went off, followed by Jack.
When they opened the door they found themselves confronted by a farmer named Fasick, who lived in that vicinity.
"Hello!" cried the farmer, on noticing the uniforms the boys wore.

"What are you cadets doing here ?" "Who are you ?" questioned Jack.
"I'm Isaac Fasick, and I own the farm down the road a spell.