s for which he had no immediate use when the
Governor joined him.

"These chaps were quite providentially in the office calling for their
keys so I had no trouble in identifying them. Seebrook and Walters are
the names. Seebrook, the older chap, has his daughter with him. They
have rooms on the floor below us."

"You don't think they've got any considerable sum of money with them, do
you?" asked Archie breathlessly.

"That remains to be seen! Did you notice their reference to a man named
Congdon? Singular how I keep running into members of that tribe. I'm
beginning to think there's a fatality in the name!"

Archie glanced at him covertly. He too felt that there was something
decidedly strange in the way the name haunted him, but the Governor had
picked up a local guide book and was pointing out objects of interest as
they wended their way along the street. Archie's wits had never been so
taxed as since he had fired a pistol, more or less with intent to kill,
in the house of Putney Congdon, but it was incredible that the Governor
could know aught of that matter. The Governor, however, was manifesting
the greatest interest in Cornford history, halting citizens to propound
inquiries as to landmarks, and pausing before the town hall to make
elaborate notes of a tablet struck in memory of the first selectmen.

When they reached the green, which the town's growth had left to one
side, he sat down on a bench and directed attention to a church whose
history he read impressively from the book.

"That carries us back quite a way beyond the Revolution. No longer used
but reverently preserved for its associations. And in the cellar of that
simple edifice where the early colonists used to hide from predatory
Indians, is hidden fifty thousand dollars. A suitcase all ready to
snatch, thrust under the bin where the worshipers of old kept the Sunday
wood!"

"I suppose it might rot there and nobody be the wiser?" muttered Archie,
glancing at the venerable meeting house with awakened interest.

"Quite true! But it must be saved from destruction. We mustn't fail
Leary; he's put his trust in me. It's our job to recover the funds, and
if I never ask you to join me in anything more perilous you'll have
occasion to congratulate yourself. There are two automobiles at the
church door now--tourists, having a look at the relic, and their
presence will neatly cover our visit."

They found half a dozen visitors roaming through the church,