"I--I didn't know Mrs. Dalwood was out," faltered Alice. And then, as
the man turned to go down the stairs, like a flash it came to her who
he was.
"The man Russ had the trouble with that day--Simp Wolley--who tried
to get his patent!" Alice almost spoke the words aloud.
"The--the leak is fixed," the man went on.
"You--you--" stammered Alice. But the man did not stay to hear, but
hurried downstairs.
Alice burst in on her sister and father.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "That man--he--he was in the Dalwood kitchen!"
"What man?" asked Mr. DeVere, starting forward.
"The one who was after Russ's patent! Quick, can't you get him?"
Mr. DeVere ran into the hall, but the man had gone. The Dalwood
kitchen door was still open, and a hasty look through the apartment
showed none of the family could be at home.
"Could he have stolen the patent?" cried Alice, when the excitement
had quieted down.
"We can't tell until Russ comes home," replied her father. "I'll
leave our door ajar, and we can hear if anyone goes into the Dalwood
rooms. As soon as some of them return we will tell them what has
taken place.
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