"I heard that two men had been arrested, charged with stealing those peaches," Elmer remarked.
"Yes, that's so, for they were silly enough to sell the fruit to Phil Dongari, the man who keeps the biggest fruit store in town. Colonel Hitchins could tell his prize peaches anywhere, so he went and bought them back again; and getting a line on the men, had them put in the town cooler, where they are yet."
"Just so, Mark; that's ancient history," smiled Elmer; "but as you say it doesn't do the first thing along the line of explaining how your cap got under those same trees, does it?"
"But, Elmer, I'm relying on you to get a move on and find out something before the trail gets cold," argued Mark.
"That sounds pretty fine, my boy," observed Elmer; "but what makes you believe I can do anything to help out? You've got all the advantages I have."
"That's so," admitted Mark; "only I'm a greenhorn about following a trail, and you know heaps. Besides, something in your manner seems to tell me you've already got a hunch on about this thing."
"Oh, that's the way you look at it, eh?" mocked Elmer.
"Yes, I haven't been going with you all this time not to know how to read your face and actions," replied Mark, boldly. "And it's my honest opinion right now that if you chose you could put your finger on the culprit."
"Thank you for your confidence, my boy; but I'm not quite so dead sure as you make out," returned Elmer.
"But you think you know?" protested Mark.