"When was the robbery committed?" put in John Stumpy, suddenly.
"You know well enough," I cried.
"I heard it was about two o'clock in the morning," vouchsafed Farmer Decker.
"Then I can easily prove an alibi," said the tramp, triumphantly. "I can prove I was with my esteemed friend Mr. Woodward at that hour. Isn't it so, Aaron?"
The merchant hesitated. I fairly held my breath to catch his answer. Would he commit deliberate perjury?
"Quite true," he replied slowly. "Mr. Stumpy was with me last night. We sat up in the library, smoking, and playing cards until after midnight, and then I showed him to bed. He could not possibly have committed the crime of which Strong speaks."
"Then the boy must be the guilty one hisself," said the farmer. "And so young, too. Who would a-thought it! What shall we do with him, Mr. Woodward?"
"You had better help me take him back to Darbyville jail," responded the merchant.