Again he tried to work the figures. But it was all of no avail, and at last he arose, fists clenched, and with a face full of baffled anger. He stalked around the library, gazed at the strong box several times, and then quit the apartment.
Waiting once more, the detective presently saw the man come from the house and walk toward the road. Following, he saw the fellow hurry past the Bardon home and then into a patch of timber. Here he had a horse, and in a moment more would have been in the saddle had not Adam Adams caught him by the arm.
"Hi! what's this, a hold-up?" cried the man, evidently frightened. "Let go of me!" And he tried to pull away and then attempted to draw a revolver from a hip pocket.
"Stop! I am not going to hurt you," was the calm reply from the detective. "I want to talk to you, that's all."
"Really?" came with a sneer. "A fine time of night to hold a man up. Be quick, for I am in a hurry."
"I want you to explain several things to me," went on Adam Adams calmly.
"That is what I said. You can take your choice. Either explain or consider yourself under arrest."
"I've done more than that--I've been watching you."
"Quite a long while. I saw you in the library, twice, and down to the brook."
The man started and was evidently much put out. Then he forced a smile to his face.
"Much obliged for playing the spy," he murmured.
"Down at the brook you had a pair of Miss Langmore's shoes. What were you doing with them?"
"I did, and I saw you with the silk shirtwaist."
"I saw you at the safe in the library of the mansion."
"Now and some hours ago. You may as well make a clean breast of it."
"I will, If you will tell me who you are."
The strange man let out a hissing sound between his teeth. Then of a sudden he gave a wild, unnatural laugh.
"Shake hands, Mr. Adams," he said, putting out his hand. "I know you by reputation even if not personally. You see, your reputation is so much larger than my own." He laughed again, a sound which grated on the detective's nerves. "I am John S. Watkins, of Bryport. I am connected with the United States secret service."
There was a brief pause after the man from Bryport made his announcement. Adam Adams tried hard to see his face clearly, but in the gloom this was impossible.