"That was certainly queer," said Dave, thoughtfully.
"He acted just as if that news was some kind of a blow to him," went on Ben.
"I don't see how it could affect him," said Sam Day. "I guess it was just his sickness."
Sam did not know that Gus Plum had been seen in Rockville the night the robbery occurred, and Dave did not feel called upon to enlighten him. But Ben knew, and he and Dave walked away to talk the matter over, being joined a moment later by Roger and Shadow.
"Plum was certainly in Rockville," said Shadow, "but I don't see how that connects him with the robbery." He was voicing a thought that had come to the minds of all.
"I don't believe he was connected with it," said Dave. "It's an awful thing to think a fellow is a thief." He looked at Shadow, who understood him thoroughly, as my old readers will understand. "But—he was there with Jasniff," he added, slowly.
"Do you think Jasniff had anything to do with it, Dave?"
"I should hate to think any boy was a thief."
"I don't believe a fellow like Jasniff could open that safe," came from Roger. "Those robbers must have had regular burglars' tools."