It turned out to be a half-smoked cigarette.

Hugh fastened his eyes instantly on some small printing in blue ink, giving the name of the manufacturers down in Virginia.
"It's the same make as those found under the Disney barn-floor," he said impressively; "and that alone would be proof that Tip has a cache somewhere back along the road to the mill-pond, perhaps in a hollow tree in the woods.

A clever police officer could easily find it by following back Tip's trail, and learning just where he came out of the woods.

I myself happen to know his left shoe has a triangular patch across the toe,--that would serve to identify the tracks anywhere." "Listen to that, will you, Owen ?" gasped the wondering Thad.

"If my chum here doesn't take up the line of an investigator of crime for a livelihood believe me there'll be a great loss to the world.