In the region of her case a tiny point of light flashed and
disappeared. Elnora straightened and wondered. Was it wise to leave
her precious money there? The light flashed once more, wavered a few
seconds, and died out. The girl waited. She did not see it again, so she
turned to her books.
In the Limberlost the hulking figure of a man sneaked down the trail.
"The Bird Woman was at Freckles's room this evening," he muttered.
"Wonder what for?"
He left the trail, entered the enclosure still distinctly outlined,
and approached the case. The first point of light flashed from the tiny
electric lamp on his vest. He took a duplicate key from his pocket, felt
for the padlock and opened it. The door swung wide. The light flashed
the second time. Swiftly his glance swept the interior.
"'Bout a fourth of her moths gone. Elnora must have been with the
Bird Woman and given them to her." Then he stood tense. His keen eyes
discovered the roll of bills hastily thrust back in the bottom of the
case. He snatched them up, shut off the light, relocked the case by
touch, and swiftly went down the trail. Every few seconds he paused
and listened intently. Just as he reached the road, a second figure
approached him.
"Is it you, Pete?" came the whispered question.
"Yes," said the first man.
"I was coming down to take a peep, when I saw your flash," he said. "I
heard the Bird Woman had been at the case to-day. Anything doing?"
"Not a thing," said Pete.
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