"No, my lad," he said, "not one of us ever saw the man until to-night."
"You don't see him now," said Al. "I do not believe that this is the man at all. He is some enemy of mine, who has imposed upon you for his own personal ends."
"Bah!" interrupted the subject of discussion, "are we to stand here all night listening to this sort of stuff? The young villain is only trying to gain time. Of course, if he will steal, he will lie."
"All I ask is a fair trial," said Al, "but I see I cannot get that here. However, gentlemen, if you must kill some one, don't kill the wrong man. It looks to me a good deal as if this fellow were the real thief, and that he was trying to throw dust in your eyes. None of you ever saw him before, you say. Now, perhaps I have seen him. Let me see his face; it may be that I can identify him."
"That's fair enough."
"That's all right."
"Off with your mask, stranger, and let the boy see your face."
It was evident that the sentiment of the crowd was turning in Al's favor.
"Why should I show him my face?" said the boy's accuser. "All the rest of you are masked."
"We'll take off our masks if you take off yours," said the spokesman. "Eh, boys?"