Tilly ain't so very bright.
So at length I continues my researches into every nook and cranny of the
den, and jest as I was about to abandon the trail, baffled and beaten at
every turn, what should I git but an idee to look at some papers lyin'
in plain sight on the table at the head of the bed."
"Well, out with it!" I thought Solon was growing a little impatient. But
Billy controlled the situation with a firm hand.
"It's an old trick," he continued, "one that's fooled many a better man
than Billy Durgin--leavin' the dockaments carelessly exposed like they
didn't amount to anything; but havin' the well-known tenacity of a
bloodhound, I was not to be thwarted. Well--to make a long story
short--"
Solon brightened wonderfully.
"I have to admit that my first suspicion was incorrect. He ain't the one
that done that Lima, Ohio, job and carried off them eight hundred
dollars' worth of stamps--"
"But what _did_ he do?"
"Well, I got a clew to another past of his--"
"What is it? Let's have it!"
Billy was still not to be driven faster than a detective story should
move.
We heard, and dimly saw, him engaged with a metallic object which he
drew from under his coat.
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