That the same person did so who had placed the empty pocketbook in the tool-box seemed evident.

Jack and Cora went together to tell Ed. Walter wanted to accompany them, but Cora insisted that she be allowed to tell the story first.

“Later Ed may want to question you,” she declared.

The three members of the mandolin club were left at the Kimball home until Cora and Jack returned.

Ed at first was much startled by the news.  Then he opened the wallet.

“They didn’t leave anything,” he said slowly.

“Is that all you want to remark?” asked Jack.

“All?  Why, of course.  What else can I say?”

“Well, don’t you think—­not to put too fine a point upon it—­that it looks suspicious?”

“For whom?”

“Us—­Cora,” said Jack bluntly.

“Look here,” began Ed fiercely; “if it wasn’t you who said that—­say—­look here—­Oh, what nonsense!  I hope, Cora, that you haven’t for one moment thought that I would have the least suspicion against you.”

“I—­er—­I—­of course I didn’t,” she finished quickly.  “Only Jack thought it looked queer.”

“How foolish!” exclaimed Ed.  “Why, it would be the easiest thing in the world for the thief to throw the empty pocketbook into your tool-box as the car was passing him in the street.  The box isn’t kept locked, is it?”

“No; not always.”

“Then that’s how it happened.  The thief is around Chelton—­that’s evident.  In order to divert suspicion he—­”

“Or she,” interrupted Jack with a smile.

“Yes, or she, if you like—­he or she opened the box when your car was halted momentarily in the street, and dropped the wallet in.  It’s as simple as can be.”

“But not so simple to find the thief,” retorted Jack.

“Indeed not,” agreed Ed with a rueful smile.  “But I’ll give the police this clue.  It’s a good one, I should think.”

“And if they want to arrest me—­why, I’ll be at home,” declared Cora with a laugh.  “Would you like to see Walter?”

“No; you have told me all that is necessary.”

Cora and Jack made a quick run back home, while Ed, went to communicate to the police the latest clue.

That evening, when Jack, Cora and the three college lads went down to the post-office, Cora happened to look in the window of the millinery shop where Mary Downs was employed.  She was surprised to see on the big plate glass a sign:  “Apprentice Wanted.”

“That’s odd,” she mused.  “I didn’t suppose that Madam Julia could use two apprentices.  I wonder if Mary has been discharged—­for taking that ride with me.  I must inquire.”

The mail was late, and as the young people waited for it to be sorted they heard in the crowd talk indicating that the news of the finding of the empty wallet was known.  Ed had told the police, and several reporters had also heard of the matter.