Harry went along the path. It was only quarter past nine. He had purposely declared it to be nine thirty in order to gain more time. He did not hear the motor boat begin to chug. Perhaps Stokes had decided to wait, after all.
Harry went directly to the garage. The proprietor was there, and he began to discuss the matter of the car. Then suddenly Harry excused himself.
“I’m going to make a phone call,” he said. “You’ll be here a while, won’t you?”
“Until midnight,” replied the garage man, “and if you’re late, I’ll wait for you a while.”
There were a few persons in the general store. Harry did not look at any of them. He went to the cigar counter; and while he was making a purchase, some one approached him.
“Can you tell me the exact time?” asked a voice.
Harry glanced at his watch without looking at the questioner.
“Nine thirty-two,” he said.
He saw the other man’s hands, as the fellow removed his watch and set it, placing the hands so that they indicated nine thirty-seven.
There was something about the man’s actions that Harry recognized. He looked up quickly, and found himself gazing into the face of Bruce Duncan.