Bob started. Could the man have been Bill Barker, the robber?
Such would not be very strange. Barker had said he knew something concerning Bob’s early history. Of course, he must have told an untruth about the boy’s father being a thief, but still Bob was inclined to believe that Barker knew a good deal.
“Did this Bill ever come back?”
“Oh, yes, he used to come about every three months at first. But during the last year he came only once. Then Peter and him had a big row, and that ended it.”
“What was the row about?”
“Something about money. I didn’t make it out. But I heard Peter say that if it wasn’t that he had become attached to you, he would have sent you back.”
“Back where?”
“I don’t know. Haven’t you ever learned anything about yourself?”
“Not a word.” Bob swallowed a curious lump that had come up in his throat. “But I am trying hard to get on the track. I know one thing, and since you have told me so much I’ll tell you it. The Bill Barker, who is one of the robbers we are after, was, to my way of thinking, the man who brought me to Peter Thompson’s house.”
“Gracious! How did you learn that?”