"No one. It was dropped by John Stumpy."
"Humph! Perhaps so!" sneered the merchant.
"It's true," exclaimed Kate, stoutly.
"More likely by your brother Roger."
"Avast there!" cried Uncle Enos. "You're saying too much."
"I don't think so," replied Mr. Woodward, in deep sarcasm. "Of course you want to shield the boy all you can, but I 'm sure in my mind that he is guilty."
"And I'm positive in my own mind that I'm innocent," said I, and I jumped to the ground.
"Roger Strong!" he cried, stepping back in surprise; and I saw Chris Holtzmann give a start. "Where did you come from?"
"I came from—up a tree," I returned lightly, and I may add that never before had I felt in such particularly good humor.
"Don't trifle with me," he cried in anger. "Answer my question."