"Wal, I dunno. I tell you I didn't stop none to have any doin's with them. I done my duty and that's all. I ain't required by law to gas with all the riffraff that sails this here canal."
"I believe you," agreed Luke mildly. He looked at Neale and grinned. "Not very conclusive, is it?" he asked.
"Not to my mind. Bet the kids were on there with this little girl he speaks of," muttered Neale.
"Oh, do you believe it, Neale?" gasped Agnes, leaning over the back of the seat.
"I am sure we are much obliged to you, sir," Ruth said, sweetly, as the engine began to roar again.
"What's up, anyway?" asked the crabbed lock-keeper. "You got something on that Bill Quigg?"
"Can't tell, Mister," Neale said seriously. "You ask him about it when he comes back."
"Now, Neale, you've started something," declared Ruth, as the automobile sped away. "You just see if you haven't."