“Not that any new evidence is needed, of course,” declared the chief. “We got this fellow dead to rights, as it is. He ain’t got a chance in the world. But still, it’s just as good to make a real strong case of it.”
“I’m afraid you don’t understand me,” went on Hurd Applegate. “This new evidence will clear Mr. Robinson. And when he is cleared, I want him back in my employ again.”
“Huh?” gasped Chief Collig.
“What’s that you say?” exclaimed Smuff.
“The stolen stuff has been found.”
“No!”
“Here it is,” put in Fenton Hardy, getting up and dumping the gunny sack upside down on the table. There was a tinkle and clatter as jewels came rolling out on the table, and then there was a rustle of paper as the packets of bonds followed.
“Where was it found?” asked the chief. “This doesn’t clear him. He probably hid it some place.”
“The stuff was found just where Jackley said he hid it. In the old tower.”
“But the old tower was searched high and low.”
“There is more than one ‘old tower,’ ” went on Mr. Hardy. “Only we didn’t happen to think of that at the time. It was found in the old water tower, down at the Junction, where Jackley used to work.”
Chief Collig was speechless with surprise. He gazed at Smuff, whose jaw had dropped in astonishment.
“Who found it?” asked Smuff at last.