"Why wasn't he looking after his sister? Aren't Boy Scouts trained to take care of their sisters?" Mr. Kingley sounded quite as unreasonable as he looked.
"Tessie sent him into the Bon Bon Box for some chocolates——"
"Then he didn't see his sister kidnaped?" Mr. Kingley interrupted quickly.
"Yes, he did. He was just coming out when he saw Tessie get into the car. It dashed away, but not before he had snatched his pencil from his pocket and written the number on the box of candy. He did it mechanically, and when Tessie didn't come home, we were glad he did. It's the only clue we have. It is mighty strange that she should have been carried away in your car, Mr. Kingley!" he insisted.
"Very, very strange," agreed Mr. Kingley with a frown. "And very strange that I didn't hear about the car until you came in. Why didn't Ethel telephone to me?"
"Your line was busy. And Bill— Where is your son Bill, Mr. Kingley?" he asked sharply.
"My son Bill! Why—why—" What on earth was Joe Cary driving at. No wonder he stammered.
It seemed to Joe that he was just stammering to gain time.
"Yes, your son Bill!" he repeated sharply.