But they were too late. The train had made its brief stop and gone on before they arrived.
They looked around on all sides. The depot platform was deserted. Then they entered the waiting rooms, the baggage office, and other places where Gresson might be keeping himself.
The man was nowhere to be seen.
"We've missed him," said Belden Brice. "Like as not, he has gone to New York with his ill-gotten booty."
"That is, if he did really have the rings," said John Mace, significantly. "That the man was about the house proves nothing. He might have come there to see Mr. Fells."
Franklin's heart fell at these words. Evidently Mr. Mace still thought him guilty.
The trio returned to the Mace mansion. Here they found Mrs. Mace, Mary, the cook, and Silas Fells, holding an excited confab.
"Did you catch him?" demanded Silas Fells, excitedly.
"No."
The electrician turned upon Franklin.
"What kind of a fellow are you," he stormed. "Why didn't you report this matter as soon as you found the jewel casket wide open and the jewels spread all over the floor?
"I was going to report it," returned Franklin, "but you had gone to the shop and—"
