"Golly!" said Larry. "So that's why you went there. Didn't you hide in the ditch, then?"
"No, of course not," said Mr. Smellie, "I walked down the drive quite openly, found the garden door open and went in and collected my papers. Then I walked out. I bid nowhere - unless you think that standing by the gate for a little while, to make sure no one was about, was hiding."
"Oh," said Larry. This was terribly puzzling. If what Mr. SmeUie said was true, then there were no Suspects left at all. But Somebody must have done the deed!
"And now will you kindly tell me what you took my shoe for?" asked Mr. Smellie.
Larry told him, and then Fatty told him who had now got the shoe. Mr. Smellie was annoyed.
"That interfering policeman!" he said. "He has been up and down past my house goodness knows how many times today. I suppose he has been suspecting me too. Now he's got my shoe. I do think you boys deserve a good whipping."
"Well, sir, we are only trying to find out who started the fire," said Fatty. He told Mr. Smellie all they had done so far. Miss Miggle listened in admiration and amazement. She was divided between indignation that the boys should have suspected Mr. Smellie so strongly, and astonishment that they should have found so many clues and suspects.
"Well," said Mr. Smellie at last. "I think it's about time you went home, you two. I can assure you that I had nothing whatever to do with the fire, and have no idea who had. I shouldn't think it would be Horace Peeks. More likely the old tramp. Anyway, my advice to you is to leave it to the police. You children will never find out things like that."
The boys stood up. "Sorry about your shoe, sir," said Fatty.
"So am I," said Mr. Smellie dryly. "It's got my name inside. So I've no doubt Mr. Goon will be along here in the morning. Good night. And try not to suspect me of any more fires, thefts, killings, or anything of that sort, will