“I wouldn’t have committed murder,” was the quick reply.

“Now let us get back to your story of to-day,” Case said. “Who was it that told you of the capture of my chums?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Was it one of your employers?”

“It was not.”

“Was it a man with whom you are acquainted?” asked Case.

“I never saw him until to-day,” he replied.

“How did he come to speak to you of the boys at all?”

“He mentioned that he had seen three boys evidently under a restraint in a boat with three men farther up the stream.”

“So the boat held three men and three boys? Anyone else?”