“I haven’t seen them,” was the reply. “I hope you haven’t lost them, for a whole lot might depend on having them.”
“Honest?” demanded Alex. “Cross your heart?” he added, with another provoking grin. “You don’t for a minute think I believe you, do you?”
“You’ll have to, for I am telling the truth,” was the unexpected answer. “I haven’t seen them.”
“Will you call Clay in here?” asked Alex in a moment. “I want to ask him two questions. Don’t let Gran come with him.”
Case, understanding what the boy intended doing, went out to the prow and sent Clay in, remaining there with the stranger. When Clay entered the cabin and closed the door he was not a little surprised at the grave manner in which Alex looked at him.
“Two questions,” Alex said.
“Go on, schoolmaster,” laughed Clay. “I’m sure I have my lesson.”
“One: Did you take the films from the kodak?”
“I did not,” replied Clay, with a shake of the head, a frown gathering about his eyes. “I did not. What about it? Are they gone?”
“Two: Do you think this Chester W. Granville took them?”