He was getting
desperate, and he's liable to send word to the police at any moment,
accusing me, and I don't want to be arrested."
He seemed very anxious.
"Now here is your ten thousand dollars back," he said to Ed, handing
him a roll of bills. "I managed to get from my folks the amount I
had used, including the sum for the--the diamond ring, and what I
had to give Lem."
"What's become of him?" asked Jack.
"I guess he's skipped out," answered Sid. "After holding up Ida it
won't be safe for him to linger too close to these parts."
"I should say not," commented Cora.
"Now, will you take this money, and--and call it square?" asked Sid
nervously.
"Hardly square," murmured Jack. "Look at the suspicions about my
sister--"
"Hush, Jack," pleaded Cora, looking at Ida, who was weeping.
"I think the best way will be to call the incident a closed one,"
decided Ed. "I'll take the money, and--"
"What will you tell the police?" asked Jack.
"I'll tell them the money came back to me in a mysterious way."
"They may want to claim the reward."
"They can't. There is only one person who will get the reward, and
she is--"
He paused and walked over until he stood in front of Ida, who sat
with bowed head.
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