Evan instantly felt his collar tighten. His jaw stuck out. "I don't know as that is anybody's business but my own," he said.
They both opened up on him then. Evan could not make out what it was all about. But his conscience was easy. He could afford to smile at the racket. Finally George Deaves got the floor.
"Will you or will you not describe your movements this morning?" he demanded.
"I will not," said Evan coolly.
"What did I tell you? What did I tell you?" burst out the old man. "Send for the police!"
Evan's temper had already been put to a strain that morning. It gave way now. "Yes, send for the police!" he cried. "I'm sick of these silly accusations. I owe you nothing, neither of you. My life is as open as a book. I make a few dollars a week by honest work, and that's every cent I possess in the world. Satisfy yourselves of that, and then let me alone!"
"Papa, be quiet!" said George Deaves severely. "I will handle this." To Evan he said soothingly: "There's no need for you to excite yourself. I've no intention of sending for the police—yet."
"Well, if you don't, I will!" said Evan. "I'll tell them the whole story and insist on an investigation!"
George Deaves wilted at the threat of publicity. Evan, in the midst of his anger thought: "Lord, if I were guilty this is exactly the way I would talk! How easy it would be to bluff them!"
George Deaves said: "I hope you won't do anything so foolish as that."