"What is it?" asked Tom.
"Looks like a leather pocketbook," was the answer. "That's what
it is," the mechanic went on, as he held the object to the light.
"It's a wallet."
"Let me see it!" exclaimed Tom quickly. He took the wallet from
the hands of Jackson. Then the young inventor uttered a cry. "A
clew at last!" he exclaimed. "A clew at last! Mr. Nestor has been
in this cabin!"
"How do you know?" asked Jackson quickly.
"This is his wallet," said Tom excitedly. "I've often seen him
have it. In fact he had it with him on Earthquake Island, the
time I sent the wireless message for help. I saw it several times
then. He kept in it what few papers he had saved from the wreck.
And I've seen it often enough since. That's Mr. Nestor's wallet
all right. Besides, if you want any other evidence--look!" He
opened the leather flaps and showed Jackson on one, stamped in
gold letters, the name of Mary's father.
"Well, what do you make of it, Tom?" asked the mechanician, as
he finished his examination of the wallet. "What does it mean?
The pocket-book is empty and that--"
"Might mean almost anything," completed Tom.
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