“I suppose he did that so that he could get away.  He knew the men around here would try to save the property instead of going after him.”

“Exactly, Charley.  He must have been a cold-blooded villain to do such a thing, for it might have been the means of burning down everything,” continued Mr. Dodge.

“What was he doing at the desk, Mr. Dodge?” asked Shep.

“He was evidently looking for money or something of value.”

“Did he get anything?”

“Nothing, so far as Mr. Neefus knows.  The safe was locked up, I believe.”

The strong-box mentioned stood in a corner of the office, and the fire had swept all around it.  It was quite hot, but after some more water had been poured over it the master of the mill threw it open.

“The books are all right—–­the fire wasn’t hot enough to touch them,” said Tom Neefus.  “I don’t think—–­Ha!”

He stopped short, gazing into a small compartment of the safe.  Then his brow contracted.

“What have you discovered?” questioned Mr. Dodge, quickly.

“The money is gone—–­and also those papers to that tract of land at Spur Road!”

“The money?  How much money?”

“Three hundred and fifty dollars.”

“But I thought you said you had the safe locked,” went on Mr. Dodge.

“I did have it locked.  He must have opened it and then shut it up again before he went at the desk.”

The announcement by the master of the mill created something of a sensation, and soon all the men and boys in the vicinity gathered to learn the particulars of the robbery.  It was learned that the man who had perpetrated the deed was a tall, slim individual who limped with his left foot when he ran.  He had disappeared into the forest bordering the river, and that was the last seen of him.  He had red hair and a stubby red moustache.

That very evening a reward of one hundred dollars was offered by the mill company for the capture of the thief, and men and boys for miles around went on the hunt, but without success.  Mr. Dodge and the other men of the concern were very much worried, but could do nothing further.  The county authorities appeared to be helpless, although the sheriff and two deputies spent two days in trying to get some trace of the criminal.  It was as if the earth had opened and swallowed him up.

The loss of the money was bad enough, but it was learned by Snap that this was not the worst of the affair by any means.  For a long time the mill company had had a dispute with another lumber concern over the right to cut timber in a locality known as the Spur Road.  The Barnaby Company had certain papers for this right—–­getting them after much trouble.  Now these papers were gone, and the dispute about the Spur Road tract might be again opened.

“I wish I had those papers back,” said Mr. Dodge.  “If I had them I shouldn’t mind the loss of the money so much, although three hundred and fifty dollars is not an amount to be sneezed at.”