"That's all right," Hiram said. "But we saw Banks coming down this way when the rain was almost over. This stack was thoroughly wet on the outside by that time."
"It was set off somehow inside," interposed Battick. "When I looked out of my door after the big wind the flames were shooting right out of the peak of the stack. It had been smouldering all that time deep down in the heart of the pile."
"Yes. Well, like the famous query about the old woodchuck's hole: How did the fire get there?"
"What do you mean?" asked Battick and Orrin in unison.
"If the fire had been set before the wind, it would have spread much sooner. Doesn't that stand to reason?"
"Uh-huh!" agreed Orrin, although Battick looked doubtful.
"Of course! And if it was set on fire after the wind stopped, how did the incendiary get his fire into the heart of the wet stack?"
"You're just asking questions," snarled Battick. "Why don't you say something that is worth while?"
"I will say something," replied Hiram. "I'll say this much: Perhaps your stack was not burned by an enemy, Mr. Battick. It might even be your own fault."
"What do you mean?" snapped the other with a sour look.