"Do you believe so, Frank?"
"I hate to say it. But we—his friends—might as well face the fact first as last," said the civil engineer, sheltering Janice beneath the umbrella he carried. It was misting heavily and she was glad of this shelter.
"Oh, I hope they will find the real thief very quickly!"
"So do I. But I see nothing being done toward that. The committee seems satisfied to accuse Nelson—and let it go at that."
"It is too, too bad!"
"They are following the line of least resistance. The real thief is, of course, well away—out of Polktown, and probably in some big city where the coins can be disposed of to the best advantage."
"Do you really believe so?" cried the girl.
"I do. The thief was some tramp or traveling character who got into the schoolhouse by stealth. That is the only sensible explanation of the mystery."
"Do you really believe so?" repeated Janice.
"Yes. Think of it yourself. The committee and Benny Thread are not guilty. Nelson is not guilty. Only two keys to the building and those both accounted for.