to take care of him, it
would not be so hard on him; but I don't see how he can be very happy
with a woman like his aunt, who is always spluttering about somebody or
something."

Fred secretly determined to do all he could to help the little cripple,
and made up his mind that Hanks should not abuse him in the future if he
could help it. Then calling to mind Carl's remark that morning, which
showed so clearly his desire for a better education, he felt he could
aid him, and decided to do so.

"Any new evidence?" asked Sheriff Coombs, as he met Mr. Rexford early
in the morning at the scene of the fire.

"No, nothing except what we discussed last night."

"That is good as far as it goes."

"Well, it goes far enough to convince me," replied the merchant tartly.

"To be sure, sir, but we must convince the court. A mere suspicion, sir,
is not good in law."

"You said last night you were the first one here, and that the fire
started in the back store."

"So I did, but I can't say what caused the fire."

"It shows that it did not catch from the stove."

"That is so, and it leads us to suspect the store was set on fire--in
fact, that is my belief. We stand agreed on this point; but the court
must have evidence or we can't make out a case."

"Then we must search for evidence," said the merchant.

"My official duty, sir, is to bring the wrongdoer to justice, and I
assure you I take a special interest in this case. I shall do my best
work on it; but, by the way, there will be some slight expense connected
with it."

"I don't understand you," replied the merchant nervously, for he caught
the word "expense."

"Nothing of any consequence, to be sure, but of course you know a
detective can't work without means."

"How much will it cost me?" asked the merchant, after a pause.

"I will make it light--for you almost nothing," answered the sheriff,
who began to fear he would lose the opportunity to perform official
service.

"Very well, then, you may go ahead; but I warn you not to come back on
me with a heavy charge for this business."

"Your wishes shall be heeded, sir. I will commence now. By the way, do
you suspect any one in particular?"

"Yes, I have one or two reasons for believing I know who did it."

"Good! That will give us an idea to work on; but first let me look
around and see what I can discover for evidence."

On the rear side of the back room was a window. A few feet from this
window part of a loa