CHAPTER XXX
THE LETTER IN THE DESK
Shortly after Sunday morning breakfast,
Hutch had a private talk in his room with
one of the two bell hops of the hotel, following
which he complacently strolled down to
the veranda, where, lounging in a comfortable
chair, he presently saw Tom Locke come forth and
depart on his way to church. When the pitcher
had vanished, the man rose and returned to his
room.
In less than fifteen minutes there came a light, nervous tap on the door, and, at Hutchinson's invitation to enter, the bell boy, looking a trifle pale, glided in.
"Well, did you get the pass-key?" questioned the manager.
"Yes, sir," answered the boy; "I slipped it off the hook when the clerk wasn't looking, but if I'm caught I'll be in a peck of trouble. I wouldn't do this, only—"
"Only you need the tenner I offered. Here it is."
