Ralph thought for a moment.
"Yes, I did. The cord was too long, and I remember taking out my knife and cutting it."
"That wouldn't put the knife inside the postmaster's office," said Uriah.
Ralph looked at the knife again. It was really his—with his name carved on the handle. There was no disputing that point.
"I can't understand it," he said. "But I can give you my word of honor that I was not inside the building to-night."
"I guess Benjamin Hooker ain't taking your word for it," grumbled Uriah Dicks. "He is responsible to the Government, an' he's goin' to find out who robbed him, that's what he's goin' to do!"
"You had better come with me," said Jack Rodman. "You can tell your story to Mr. Hooker and to Squire Paget."
"Better make a search around here first," suggested Uriah. "The men that helped do the robbin' may be hiding here. Bart and I can hold Ralph so he don't run away."