“As we saw it, the dust in the tower hadn’t been disturbed in weeks. Why, there was even dust on the doorknob, when Mr. Applegate let us in.”

“Then, why should Jackley say he hid the stuff there?” exclaimed Frank, puzzled.

“Don’t ask me. I’m just as much in the dark as you are.”

When the boys reached the business section of the city they found that already Jackley’s confession had become common property. People were discussing the deathbed confession on the street corners and newsboys were busy selling copies of papers in which the story of the criminal’s last statement was featured on the front page under black headlines.