"About half an hour."
"What did you do then?"
"I went to Mr. Mason's office to return a book he had loaned me."
"And then?"
"When I came back I met you," I replied promptly.
"And you mean to say the safe was robbed in the meantime. Luke, you cannot make me believe that."
"I don't know when the safe was robbed. I told you what I did, that was all."
"I don't believe a word of your story! You have robbed the safe, and you have the money."
"If you think so you can search me," I replied promptly.
But even as I spoke I thought of the strange letter I had received. What would my uncle say if he saw it? It seemed to me I was getting into hot water in more ways than one.