Almost to Thompson's Crossing she strolled, deep in thought, and then turned and retraced her steps.

But when she again reached the hotel she was wide-eyed as ever; so she passed the building, thinking she would go on to Little Bill Creek and sit by the old mill for a time.
The girl was just opposite the printing office when her attention was attracted by a queer grating noise, as if one of the windows was being pried up.

She stopped short, a moment, and then crept closer to the building.

Two men were at a side window of the pressroom, which they had just succeeded in opening.

As Hetty gained her point of observation one of the men slipped inside, but a moment later hastily reappeared and joined his fellow.