asleep and had not come back. Next day Farnam returned and in the
evening, when Mrs. Farnam was busy, she found an opportunity of talking
to him alone. He looked thoughtful when he heard her story.

"You did right not to tell Mabel; but I certainly can't understand the
thing," he said. "I reckon you have your imagination under pretty good
control."

"I didn't imagine I saw the man," Agatha rejoined with a smile.

Farnam nodded. "We'll take that for granted. I wanted a teamster and
hired the fellow when he asked for the job. He worked well, but I don't
know where he came from or where he's gone, and it would scare Mabel if
we put the police on his trail. Besides, I guess he lit out by the train
in the morning that catches the west-bound express."

"Since he knew you were away, why did he wait instead of coming as soon
as you left?"

"He probably reckoned there was a risk of his being heard on a calm,
frosty night; I understand it was blowing fresh and snowing when he
came. The snow would cover his tracks. But I'm puzzled. It's strange
that he took nothing and left my safe alone!"

"Do you think he knew where the safe is?"

"Sure," said Farnam. "The boys come to my office for their pay." He
paused and added thoughtfully: "Looks as if the fellow had an object for
searching your room!"