“So you’re the fresh kid that got me jugged, are you!” he snarled with a menacing gesture.  “I’d like to get my hands on you for a couple of minutes.”

“Silence!” roared Chief Burroughs.

Then the examination began.  The strong box had been turned over to the police that morning by Miss Nevin, to be held as proof against the thief.

Grace identified the man as the one she had seen tampering with the lock the previous night, repeating what she had heard him say as he left the old house.  She then told her story of the removal of the box, which was corroborated by Eleanor and John, the coachman.

“This is not the first time this man and I have met,” declared Grace at the conclusion of her testimony.  Then she related the incident of the train to the chief, while the prisoner glowered at her as though he would enjoy tearing her in pieces.

When examined, he gave his name as Jones, denied ever having seen Grace before, but under rigid cross-examination finally admitted the truth of her story, and that he had been in Oakdale on the previous Thanksgiving and had assisted in the theft of the strong box.  He had left for New York the following morning, supposing that his confederate would have no trouble in unlocking the box.

“Why did you leave Oakdale?” questioned Chief Burroughs.

“Robbing kids was too small business for me,” growled the man.  “We heard this was a rich town, but when we got here I sized it up, and it didn’t look good to me.  So I beat it for New York the next day.”

But no amount of grilling could induce him to reveal the identity of his partner.

“He’s too good a pal to squeal on.  Nothing doing in that line,” was the unvarying answer.

When questioned as to his second visit to Oakdale, he said that his partner had been unable to open the strong box, and after looking about for some safe hiding place, had accidentally discovered the secret recess in the cupboard, while prowling about the haunted house.

This had seemed an ideal place of concealment, and he had secretly conveyed the box there until the prisoner, who was an expert cracksman, should be on hand to open it.

“And was that your sole object in coming to Oakdale?” was the chief’s sharp query.

“Of course,” replied the prisoner.

But the chief shook his head.  “There is a good deal more back of this.  You have not answered truthfully.  Your real motive for coming here was robbery.”

Grace and Eleanor were not detained throughout the entire examination.  After giving their testimony, they were allowed to go.  Once they were fairly outside the police station, Grace took Eleanor by the arm and said: 

“Eleanor, I have a call to make, and I wish you to go with me.  We haven’t a moment to spare, for the First National Bank closes at three, and it’s a quarter after two now.”

“I am very glad to hear that useful and interesting fact about the First National Bank.  Are you going to deposit money there!” asked Eleanor, laughing.