"And was that charm in your slipper?" questioned Shadow, excitedly.
"Yes, it just dropped out."
"Were those slippers taken at the time all our shoes and boots and slippers disappeared?" continued Shadow.
"Yes. Say, Shadow, you don't think"
"Yes, I do!" shouted the lad who had the reputation of walking in his sleep. "I think Nat Poole took those shoes, slippers, and boots, and then got scared in some way and returned them. And when he boxed 'em up he caught his watch charm in the slipper, and the charm dropped inside."
"It looks reasonable," was Dave's comment.
"You let me have that charm and I'll find out about this," went on Shadow. "I'll show him he can't do such a thing and then shove it off on me, and make folks believe I took the shoes while I was walking in my sleep!"
"Going after Nat now?" asked Buster.
"Yes."
"Do you want anybody along?" asked Dave. "Better have witnesses to this."
"All right; Dave, you come along,—and you too, Phil. I guess you want to know what became of that missing gym. shoe."
"So I do," answered the shipowner's son.
"Where is Nat?" asked Roger.
