“But you have not told me why you were not in that boat for two hours.”
“Sir? Who said I was not in that boat for two hours? I certainly was there every minute. I did not even get on shore, as my friend tied the boat and came back aboard to help me with the motor.”
“The word has been brought to me that your boat lay there for two hours and that you were not on board.”
“The person who told you that told an untruth. I never put my foot on shore that afternoon.”
“Mr. Cunningham,” as the chief turned to him, “did you see Mr. Allen’s boat tied there while you were out in your own?”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“And do I understand that you are sure that neither Mr. Allen nor his friend were in the boat for two hours?”
“That’s it, exactly,” replied Cunningham.
“How does Mr. Cunningham know that I was not there for two hours? Where was he all that time?” Quickly Frank threw in the question. Cunningham went pale.