"He's one of the post office robbers, of course," was the confident reply of Chester.
"I don't understand some of the things he's done," remarked Uncle Ben.
"It looks as if he has been keeping tabs on us."
Uncle Ben seemed to fall into a brown study or he was debating some question with himself. He was gazing at the cheap picture on the opposite wall, but saw it no more than he did the other three persons in the room. His wife knew his moods and studied the wrinkled countenance, as did Alvin and Chester. Finally she ended the stillness by sharply asking:
"Why don't you speak, Benjamin? I know what's in your mind."
He pulled himself abruptly together.
"If you know, what's the use of my telling?"
"That these young gentlemen may larn, though your thoughts ain't wuth much."
He took a whiff or two, removed the pipe and with a whimsical grin remarked:
"I was just thinking—Oh pshaw! what's the use?"