“True, Squire, excuse me for keeping you waiting. Stone, I am told that they hold you on a very serious charge.”
“They do,” I returned. “But I am not guilty, sir.”
“You don’t look like a fellow who would steal.”
“I never took a thing that didn’t belong to me in my life, sir.”
“I believe you.”
“Mr. Webster thinks I am guilty, but I know nothing of the matter; that is, nothing but what I have told. Mr. Webster also insinuates that you might have had something to do with it,” I added, bound that Mr. Markham should know all.
“I heard something of that sort. I have also heard that there is a streak of insanity in the Webster family,” he added, with a twinkle in his eye that made even Squire Slocum smile. “He is so upset by this robbery that he doesn’t know what he is doing. I suppose he would accuse the President if it came into his head.”
“He says you were in the office when Mr. Ditson brought in the diamonds, and that you overheard him say that they would be safe in the old vault as long as the safe of the jeweler was being repaired,” explained the squire.
“I remember seeing a gentleman come in with a small bag,” replied Mr. Markham; “but I paid no attention to what he had to say or what was done with the bag; I was too excited over my own affairs.”
“Then the diamonds belonged to Mr. Ditson and Mr. Camp?” I asked, for I was still in the dark on this point.