Read Online The Swindler's Treasure by Lois Walfrid Johnson - Free Book Online

one of them joined in the search. Caleb took down the pictures from the wall, checking the back side to be sure nothing had been hidden. Hattie picked up the rugs, then folded back the quilts and cornhusk mattress. Libby studied the floor inch by inch to be sure there was no hidden crack. Jordan opened every window, testing the movement between the frames and the wall. Serena pulled out each drawer in the dresser, searching behind and underneath.
    Finally they had to admit the boarder had left nothing behind.
    As they started to leave, Serena turned back. “Wait! There’s one more place to look. I’ve found things there before.”
    On the far side of the room, a shelf was attached to the wall. Low and strong, it was the kind of shelf where people set their baggage if staying for a short time.
    Now Serena peered at a narrow crack between the shelf and wall. Libby could just barely see a narrow edge of paper. Working carefully so the paper wouldn’t slip in farther, Serena managed to pull it out.
    The paper had writing on it. Serena tried to read it, then handed it to Libby. There was no name on the paper, but an address in Alton, Illinois.
    â€œIt might be just what we need to find the swindler!” Libby exclaimed.

CHAPTER 7
Happy Birthday!

    I f that address will help us find the swindler, I am going with you,” Jordan said.
    Then, as if remembering the disaster with the money, he changed his words. “I mean, I am going if your pa lets me work for him again.”
    As Libby, Caleb, and Peter started back to the
Christina
, Jordan walked with them.
    â€œIf we’re going to search for the swindler in Alton, maybe I’ll have time to find out more about Elijah Lovejoy,” Caleb said. More than once he had talked about wanting to be a newspaperman. Mr. Lovejoy had been just that—a newspaper editor who lived in Alton.
    Soon Caleb and Jordan walked ahead, talking so fast that Libby knew they were making up for lost time. As she followed with Peter, the boy took out his slate and handed it to her.
    â€œI think I know the man who rented that room,” he said.
    â€œYou know him? How?” Libby wrote back. Serena had given them a description, but Libby wasn’t sure it would be enough to recognize the swindler.
    â€œWhen your father was taking me to buy clothes, I saw the man walk toward the boardinghouse,” Peter said. “I’ll take you to where he lives.”
    â€œWhere he
lives
?” Libby asked, writing again. “Why would he rent a room if he lives in Galena?”
    â€œI told Caleb,” Peter said, as though trying to be patient with her. “Maybe the swindler saw Jordan carry the carpetbag and wondered what it held. Maybe he rented the room to find out.”
    By now Caleb and Jordan were far ahead. Libby called to them. “Stop a minute!”
    Peter led them to the house where the man lived, and Caleb knocked on the door. When no one answered, Peter turned the handle, but the door was locked. Carrying his slate with him, he walked around to the back.
    As Libby started to follow, she saw Peter talking to a neighbor. Soon Peter returned with words written on the slate. The man Peter thought was the boarder had said he was going away for a while. They had no choice but to start once again for the
Christina
.
    â€œWhen we get to Alton, we’ll try to find the swindler,” Libby said.
    â€œYou need to know what he looks like,” Peter answered. “Brown hair. Blue eyes. About five feet, ten inches tall. He wore a suit and white shirt and tie. A hat too. He dresses good.”
    â€œWell-dressed, you mean?” Libby wrote.
    â€œBut he doesn’t know how to wear clothes.”
    Strange
, Libby thought.
What does Peter mean by that?
    Peter explained. “He has money but hasn’t learned to dress like he is rich.”
    â€œHave you seen such a man?” Libby asked Jordan.
    He hadn’t, but according to