"By gum! I didn't think of that, Jed!" exclaimed the farmer.
"It would be an easy way of tryin' to look innercent," went on the constable. "They fixed it all up—blow open the safe, hide the silver an' other valerables, an' then, when you surprise 'em, they try to put the crime off on sumbuddy else."
"Say, Jed, do you think that's so?" asked the farmer, his suspicions aroused.
"Don't it look reasonable, Isaac?"
"It sure does, Jed. But to think them boys would do sech a terruble deed!"
"Some o' them boys at boardin'-school spend a fierce sight o' money. Some of 'em drink an' gamble. They ain't above gittin' money by hook or crook, ef they need it. Yes, they may be guilty," and the constable swelled out with his own importance.
"Perhaps you better question 'em," suggested the farmer, timidly.
"Question 'em?" snorted the constable. "Yes, I will; an' I'll do more—I'll hold 'em until this mysterious case is cleared up!"