“Yes, uncle, I think he must have known the place.”
“Such a fellow as our amiable young poaching friend, Pete Warboys, eh?”
“David says he is sure that it was Pete.”
“Why does he say that?”
“Because Pete would know where the ladder was kept, and get it into the yard.”
“To be sure; no one more likely,” said Uncle Richard, watching his nephew keenly, and then opening and shutting two or three of the drawers as if waiting for Tom to go on speaking.
But Tom remained silent.
“But you don’t think it was Pete Warboys, eh?”
Tom still remained silent, and his uncle drew out the drawer in which the deeds had been placed.
“Come, my boy, I must cross-examine you,” continued Uncle Richard. “Out with it. There is always to be perfect confidence between us two.”