But we mustn't waste time talking. Describe that black man to me, and---"
"And the company will hire detectives to start right on the trail of that
negro," interjected Mr. Prenter.
"If---if the expense is really warranted," ended Mr. Bascomb, cautiously.
"Warranted?" retorted the treasurer of the Melliston Company. "Why, it
is absolutely necessary to protect our work here! That big negro is the
key to the mystery. We must catch him if it costs us a thousand dollars."
"Oh, well," assented President Bascomb, reluctantly.
"I---I guess I'm all right to start in to work now," Harry suggested,
trying to rise.
"Sit down---you're not!" replied Tom and Treasurer Prenter, in the same
breath, as both pressed Harry back to the wall.
"We don't need work so much to-day," Mr. Prenter continued. "What we want
to do is to solve this mystery. You stay here, Hazelton. I'll go back
alone and find a 'bus or a carriage. Then we'll go back to camp and hold
a council of war. Something must be done, and we'll decide _how_ it's to
be done."
Mr. Prenter, though no longer a young man, proved that he carried both
speed and agility in his feet. While he was gone Tom endeavored to get a
few more particulars from Harry, but Hazelton simply didn't know anything
that threw any more light on the dread mystery of the breakwater.
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