“I am telling the truth,” cried Dexter, “It was you asked me to take the boat.”
“Only hark at him!” cried Bob. “Why yer’d better say yer didn’t take all yer clothes off and swim acrost and get it.”
“I did,” said Dexter; “but you made me. You said you’d go.”
“Oh, you can tell ’em!” cried Bob.
“And I did give you the money to take.”
“Oh, well, I’ve done,” said Bob. “I never did hear a chap tell lies like you can!”
“I think that will do,” said Sir James, with a side glance at the doctor, who sat with his brows knit, listening. “Now, you will both go back to the room where you are to sleep, and I warn you that if you attempt to escape, so surely will you be taken by the police, and then this matter will assume a far more serious aspect. You, my men, will have charge of these two boys till the morning. They are not to speak to
each other, and I look to you to take them safely back to Coleby by the early train. That will do.”
Dexter darted one glance at the doctor, but his face was averted.