All the boarders--except Grace, who was upstairs in her room--and most of the help was standin' round to say good luck and good-by.
"Snow, the detective, was there, and I whispered in his ear.
"'Say,' I says, 'do you realize that for the fust time since the robbery here's a lot of folks leavin' the house?
How do you know but what--' "He winked and nodded brisk.

'I'll attend to that,' he says.
"But he didn't have to.

Parker spoke fust, and took the wind out of his sails.
"'Gentlemen,' says he, 'I don't know how the rest of you feel, but, as for me, I don't start without clear skirts.

I suggest that Mr.Brown and Mr.Wingate here search each one of us, thoroughly.

Who knows,' says he, laughin', 'but what I've got that precious stolen paper tucked inside my sweater?
Ha! ha! Come on, fellers! I'll be first.' "He tossed the ball into a chair and marched into the office, the rest of the players after him, takin' it as a big joke.