"That's a falsehood, for I saw him buy his ticket. Come now, young man, I know something about last night's nefarious proceedings."
It would be hard to describe the significance with which these words were spoken, but it may be said that no one could have made them more impressive than did the fiery constable, who said them over a second time, and then, shaking his head very knowingly, walked away.
It may have been that Bud Heyland was such a bad boy that his conscience accused him at all times, but Fred Sheldon was certain he saw the red face grow more crimson under the words of the hot-tempered constable.
"Can it be Bud knows anything about last night?" Fred asked himself, attentively watching the movements of Bud, who affected to be interested in something going on a rod or two distant.
He walked rapidly thither, but was gone only a short while when he came back scowling at Fred, who looked at him in an inquiring way.
"What are you staring at me so for?" asked Bud, half raising his hand as if he wanted to strike, but was afraid to do so.
Fred now did something which bordered on insolence, though the party of the other part deserved no consideration therefor. The little fellow looked steadily in the red, inflamed face, and with that peculiar grin that means so much in a boy, said in a low, confidential voice:
"Bud, how about last night?"
Young Sheldon had no warrant to assume that Bud Heyland knew anything of the robbery, and he was only following up the hint given by Archie Jackson himself.