4 THE ACORN step behind him? No, it was not imagination, for he could distinctly heard the leaves rustle as the animal or man came nearer. Jim dropped to the ground and waited. As the moon sent its tiny shafts of light through the trees he could see the broken outline of a large man walking quickly by. The person went directly to a great oak near the road, where he stopped, listened, and looked cautiously about. Then he thrust his hand into the hollow trunk and brought forth a piece of paper. This he unfolded and read with apparent difficulty. To Jim lying breathless on the ground it seemed as though the man would never finish reading it. Was he a robber or a kidnapper? If only he should lose the note, so Jim could find it, but then kidnappers were always careful about such things. To Jim's surprise the man crumpled the note and threw it into a clump of bushes. Then he peered about suspiciously and listened. Hearing nothing but the wierd, solemn cry of the owl, he retraced his steps. It was a long time before Jim ventured to the bushes and found the mysterious note. With an unsteady hand he unfolded the paper and held it to the light. It read as follows: DPNF UPOJHIU. CSJOH UIF DBS UP 5 QPJOUT BU I BN. NASS. "What's it all about?" he asked himself, and looked searchingly about him. "It must be something worth knowing or they wouldn't write it in code. There's a five. Five points, maybe. Yes, I have it. 'C-O-M-E T-O-N-I-G-H-T. Bring the car to 5 points at 1 a. m.' Now, what good will that do me?" As he sat on an old stump he tried to solve the mystery. Suddenly it all dawned upon him. The night before there had been a robbery in town. The burglars had broken into Carlton's largest jewelry store and actually carried away the booty in an automobile. That was it and now they were to attempt another load or perhaps meet and divide the spoils. "Here's where I turn detective," he said to himself. "And to think there is a reward of $500 for their arrest. I'll go tell the police at once No, I'll wait at the meeting place, see which way they go and get the number of the car." Accordingly, he returned the way he had come and went to a lonely spot east of the city known as Five Points. At one corner of the crossing was a pile of ties belonging to the railroad company. He piled these in such a way that he could hide and still look out. There he sat getting more excited, but colder as the time drew near. He had forgotten about the cold evening until he sat shivering; in the pile of ties. As the time dragged slowly by he tried to decide upon the best way of trapping the robbers. If only they did not detect him he would be sure of the $500 reward. THE ACORN 5 "It certainly was a great streak of luck," he mused, "for me to find that note, especially as I am so much in need of a little money just now. If it weren't so cold I could think better, but then all I have to do is to see and not be seen." With such thoughts he passed the weary hours. The town clock tolled one just as he heard the whirr of an automobile and saw its glaring headlights. Sure enough, it was coming and it proved to be the car for which Jim was waiting. It stopped within twenty feet of his hiding place and the man who got the note sprang out and stood for a moment by the car. Then he walked carefully southward looking back occasionally at the waiting car. As soon as the robber had rounded a bend in the road Jim stole up to the rear of the car to take the number. The tail lamp was out and the number was tied under the frame in such a way that it could not be seen. "This was certainly done to avoid detection," thought Jim, "but then they never dreamed of an amateur detective on their trail." He lay on his back under the car, struck a match and quickly blew it out again. In the one short moment of brightness he read the number, 416 Vt., and repeated it to himself several times as he crawled back to his hiding place. He would see which direction the robbers went and then report immediately in town. Jim did not have to wait long before he heard the low voices of two people retiring. As the figures came closer one of the persons proved to be a young woman, the other was the same man who drove the automobile. Could it be possible that she was implicated in the daring robbery? Jim sat holding his breath and listening. "Do you think they will try to catch us?" asked the girl in a clear, musical voice. "Of course they won't," he answered. "You know they wouldn't object anyway. I never would have thought of this if you hadn't wanted it." "Oh I think it is so much more romantic to elope. Think how surprised the girls will be, but then we will miss all the rice and shoes." They had now reached the auto, and climbing in, rode quickly away. "Huh!" snorted Jim as he crawled out and watched the automobile disappear in the distance. "'Rice,' 'shoes,' 'elopement.' Oh I'd make a great detective, I would. I'll tell you what, they can't dupe me." He thrust his hands deep down into his pockets, dropped his head and strode impatiently home. As he passed the hollow oak tree he paused, laughed softly to himself, and said: "Jim Nevill, you've been stung again." C. P., '10.