"Well, if you want to know the truth, I lost the money," he said.
CHAPTER XIV
THE PRICE OF SILENCE
For a moment I was staggered by John Stumpy's announcement. Was it possible he was telling the truth? If so, the chances of recovering the Widow Canby's money would assume a different shape. To arrest him would prove a moral satisfaction, but it would not restore the stolen dollars.
Occupying the position I did, I was more interested in restoring the stolen money than I was in having the tramp incarcerated.
Nothing would have given me greater satisfaction than to have met the Widow Canby at the depot with the two hundred odd dollars in my pocket. It would have silenced the public tongue and made my breaking jail of no consequence.
But perhaps John Stumpy was telling a falsehood. He was not above such a thing, and would not hesitate if he thought anything could be gained thereby. That Mr. Aaron Woodward also guessed such to be a fact was proven by the words that followed Stumpy's statement.
"Lost the money?" he ejaculated. "Do you expect me to believe you, sir?"
"It's true."
"Nonsense, sir. Jack Fer&—"