"But what I don't understand," he concluded, "is what made Jim behave so. What did he clean his gun for? Why did he hide the rags and put away the ammunition? He acted just as if he were trying to shield some one. We know he wasn't trying to shield himself, and I don't see why he should shield Peaslee."
"Fred!" said Nancy, stopping and facing him. "Jim knew that his father was the only person in the house, didn't he?"
"Yes," said Farnsworth.
"Then he thought his father did it!"
"O pshaw!" exclaimed Farnsworth. "He couldn't!"
"Don't be rude, Fred!" admonished Nancy. "Wasn't I right before? Well, I'm right now. How could he have thought anything else? I'm going straight to the jail and find out. And can we get him away from that jail?"
"Yes," said Farnsworth. "I spoke to Paige. He said he'd bring the boy in and have him discharged this afternoon. He has to appear before the judge, you know, before he can be let go."
"That's nice," said Nancy. "Now, Fred, you go straight to Mr. Edwards and bring him up there, too. I don't suppose any one's thought to tell him."
"But I haven't had any dinner," objected Farnsworth.
"Dinner!" exclaimed Miss Ware, in deep scorn, and Farnsworth laughed and surrendered.