Mr. Stirling had set Bart a practical temperance example by pouring the liquor into the sink, but had not offended Green by declining his well-meant offerings.
Bart remembered this, and felt that he might appeal to Green to some purpose.
"Mr. Wacker is not at home," he explained, "and I wish to find him. I understand he was here last night."
"He was," assented Green. "Came here about ten, and hasn't left the house since."
"Why!" ejaculated Bart—and paused abruptly. "He is here now?"
"Asleep upstairs."
"And he has been here since—he is here now!" questioned Bart incredulously.
"He was, ten minutes ago, when I came down—" asserted Green.
Bart stood dumbfounded. He was at fault—the thought flashed over his mind in an instant.
It would not be so easy as he had fancied to run down the burglars, for if what Silas Green said was true, Lem Wacker could prove a most conclusive alibi.