"We don't really know. Perhaps Massey is mistaken. We know he was excited," said Nelson.
"Hold hard, now," advised Uncle Jason, "It's a breach in their walls, nevertheless."
"How is that, Mr. Day?" asked the schoolmaster.
"Why, don't you see?" said Uncle Jason, puffing on his pipe in some excitement. "They have opened th' way for Doubt ter stalk in," and he chuckled. "Them committeemen have been toller'ble sure—er they've said they was—it was you stole the money, Mr. Haley. If they can't connect this coin with you at all, they'll sartain sure be up a stump. And they air a-breakin' down their own case against ye. I guess I'm lawyer enough ter see that."
"Oh, goodness, Uncle Jason! So they will!" cried Janice.
"But it does not seem reasonable that the person stealing the coins would spend one of them in Polktown," Nelson said slowly.
"I dunno," reflected Mr. Day. "I never did think that a thief had any medals fer good sense—nossir! He most allus leaves some openin' so's ter git caught."
"And if he spent the money at the tavern—and for liquor—of course he couldn't have good sense."
"I take off my hat to you on that point, Janice," laughed Nelson. "I believe you are right."
"Ya-as, ain't she?" Aunt Almira said proudly. "An' our Janice has done suthin' this time that'll make Polktown put her on a ped-ped-es-tri-an——"