"Because I had been told the prisoner was seen to walk up to the station, and I meant to be fair to him when I knew how."
"Oh, you did; and do you think it was fair to him to steal a ride on the highway?"
"Yes, sir."
"And why?"
"Because no one has ever told me he didn't ride down the highway, at least till he came within sight of the station."
"Mr. Hickory," inquired the lawyer, severely, "are you in possession of any knowledge proving that he did?"
"No, sir."
Mr. Byrd, who had been watching the prisoner breathlessly through all this, saw or thought he saw the faintest shadow of an odd, disdainful smile cross his sternly composed features at this moment. But he could not be sure. There was enough in the possibility, however, to make the detective thoughtful; but Mr. Orcutt proceeding rapidly with his examination, left him no time to formulate his sensations into words.
"So that by taking this wagon you are certain you lost no time?"