closed up the store myself tonight, and went into the back room,
as usual, to see that everything was all right."

"I dare say it was. You are a careful man."

"Yes, it was all right. I'm certain of that."

"Good evidence, too. Capital evidence, Mr. Rexford," said the officer,
rubbing his hands together with evident delight.

"You are sure there was no fire in the front room when you first got
here?"

"I am positive there was none."

"I may want your testimony."

"I hope so, sir, for crime should be punished."

"I hope it will, in this case, at least," said the merchant; "for I
believe this store has been fired, and perhaps robbed."

"Shouldn't wonder if it had been robbed--more than likely it was, now I
think of it."

"But as everything is burned up, it will be almost impossible to find
this out, as I can't really miss anything."

"There will be a chance for some pretty sharp detective work, I should
say."

"You are good at that, I believe," said the merchant.

"Well, I fancy they can't fool me much, if I do say it."

"Then I want you to go to work on this case."

"I will commence at once, Mr. Rexford. The guilty party can't escape me
when I give my whole mind to it."

"I hope you will put your whole mind on it, then."

"I shall indeed, sir. I will go home now and form my theory. I have the
facts to work on. Early in the morning I will see you, and we will
compare notes and get ready for business--active business, I assure
you."

XVII.

After being out during the night at the fire, and consequently having
had his rest broken, Fred found it rather irksome to spring out of bed
at five o'clock, get his breakfast, and be ready to respond to the
factory whistle on a wintry morning.

He had now got sufficient knowledge of his work, and found very little
difficulty in performing it. Whenever he wanted any instruction or help,
Carl seemed ready and glad to aid him, so the two boys soon became
friends.

"How long have you been on these flockers, Carl?" asked Fred the morning
after the fire.

"Only two months."

"Where did you work before that? I don't remember ever having seen you
till yesterday morning, and I don't know what your last name is now. I
heard Mr. Hanks call you Carl, so I suppose that is your given name?"

"Yes, my name is Carl Heimann; I have been in here ever since I came to
Mapleton."

"Where did you come from?"

"My father and mother came from Germany when I was a sm