“It’s about Bassett,” explained the spokesman. “He’s laid off, I hear.”
“Yes,” said the train master. “Laid off till further notice.”
“What for?” asked the spokesman.
Mr. Plumfield hesitated. It was rather difficult to formulate the charge against Bassett.
“For knowing more about the burning of the Jones Run bridge the other night than he’s willing to tell.”
“Do you mean he set it on fire?” inquired one of the men, incredulously.
“Oh, no; but I think he ran past it after it was on fire and didn’t stop to put it out, as he should have done.”
“Does Bassett admit it?”
“No, of course not.”
“Why should he run past the fire?”