Bill was silent for a long time. "I don't know what it all means," he said finally. "Something queer has happened to me that worries me. I wonder—do you think—no, it couldn't be."
"Probably it couldn't," agreed Ernest, "but I can't think before you explain what to think about."
"It was a letter from my dad," explained Bill, and went on to tell him about the watch that was in the pawnshop in his name. And then, because he had a good start, he told Ernest about Lee.
"That pawnshop affair may have something to do with Frank," said Ernest, "but you can't connect him with that robbery. That is too big and too serious. Six hundred dollars, you say?"
"I think that was what they told me," said Bill. "No, of course Frank has nothing to do with that, and I know Lee is perfectly innocent of it too. I just about go crazy when I think about it."
"It is terrible," said Ernest, deeply troubled.
For a long while they sat talking things over, but were finally interrupted by the entrance of Frank, who came bursting noisily into the room, throwing his cap across the bed and tearing off his coat.
"Taps going to sound!" he said.
"I don't have to go to bed until I want to," said Ernest. "Will it disturb you boys if I stay awhile?"
"Don't mind me!" said Frank. He took off his stock, and sat down on his bed with his back to them.