Perhaps some of my readers will think it odd that I did not arrive at this conclusion sooner. Let them remember that I was but a boy, and that the adventure with the sloop, coupled with the news of my father’s death and my guardian’s arrival, had completely upset me. Had my mind been more at ease I might have acted differently from the start.
“Let go of me!” cried Ford sternly.
And catching Mr. Norton by the arm he shoved him several feet away.
“I won’t allow anybody to talk to me in this fashion,” went on my guardian. “The idea of insinuating that I know anything about this robbery!”
“Where did the boy spend the night?” asked Pointer, as soon as he could get a chance to talk.
“I don’t know. He didn’t come in till a little while ago,” returned Mr. Norton.
“That isn’t so!” I exclaimed. “I was here from half-past twelve until breakfast-time.”
“Where were you from seven o’clock yesterday until half past twelve?” questioned Mr. Webster sharply.
“Here most of the time. I left about half-past eleven to go after a fellow who stole some things from the mill.”
“Another thief?”