The Hardy boys were disappointed, and their expressions showed it. If Red Jackley died, the secret of the Tower robbery would die with him, for by now Frank and Joe were convinced that the notorious criminal had indeed been the thief for whose misdeeds Mr. Robinson was now suffering. And if the secret died with him, Mr. Robinson would be doomed to spend the rest of his life under a cloud, suspected of being a thief.

“Have you seen Jackley yet?” asked Frank.

“After the smashup. But I didn’t have a chance to talk to him.”

“You might have been able to get a confession from him.”

Fenton Hardy nodded.