"Oh! not as bad as that," said Fanks, good-naturedly; "I only thought you might throw some light on the mysterious affair."
"Well, I can't," said Spolger, curtly.
"No; I see that. Good day, sir."
"Good day," replied their host, with a bow. "I hope you'll be successful in your search for the real criminal."
Fanks made no reply, as he had his own idea regarding Mr. Spolger's good wishes, but departed, followed by Axton; the last thing they heard being the voice of the invalid complaining about the door being left open.
When they were seated in their cab and once more on their way to Ironfields, Fanks broke the silence first.
"Roger, it was a mare's nest after all."
"Yes; he knows nothing."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Do you mean to say he is concealing something?"