“No, I don’t believe he would. But they found a bag of money in the room, old Chase had it clamped in the hook of his arm, they say.”
“Well, I’m sure Joe Newbolt never had his hands on it, anyhow,” said she.
“That’s right,” approved the colonel, nodding in slow thoughtfulness; “we must stand up for him, for his own sake as well as Peter’s. He’s worthy.”
“And he’s innocent. Can’t you see that, father?”
“As plain as daylight,” the colonel said.
The colonel stretched out his legs toward the blaze, crossed his feet and smoked in comfort.
“But I wonder what it can be that the boy’s holding back?”
“He has a reason for it, whatever it is,” she declared.
“That’s as certain as taxes,” said the colonel. “He’s a remarkable boy, considering the chances he’s had–bound out like a nigger slave, and beaten and starved, I’ll warrant. A remark-able lad; very, very. Don’t you think so, Alice?” 209
“I think he is, indeed,” said she.