It is the meanest kind of wickedness to direct suspicion against any person without good cause. Also it is criminal. Paul Jones and Billy Worth realized this. Yet was it not true, as the stranger said, that Willie Creek and Chief Fobes were great friends? And had not Mr. Creek more than once suggested that it would be much cheaper for the boys to take a train home and conduct their search from there, paying no hotel bills while awaiting developments?
“I’ve always thought Willie was our friend,” muttered Worth when he and Paul were alone again, “and I shall think so; but one thing is sure, we’ve got to keep our eyes open.”
Mr. P. Jones, Esquire, as Paul sometimes referred to himself, was of the same opinion. Also he added: “It looked mighty funny to me the way old Fobes paid so little attention when Scottie was shot. Willie Creek didn’t seem to mind it, either, so much as I’d think he would.”
Oh, it is a sad, bad business to sow seeds of suspicion! It is but all too likely they will grow! Always there is something which seems to confirm the suspicious thought. And yet, on the other hand, it must be admitted that dishonesty and falsehood are not infrequently concealed by an appearance of friendliness on part of those who practice them.
And now, whether Willie Creek was a true friend or a false friend, we soon shall see for another night has passed and another day has come—a day to test the endurance and the courage of the Auto Boys almost to the breaking point. And even while Phil and Dave were making themselves known in the Automobile club of Syracuse, Billy and Paul were planning a careful inspection of Mr. Creek’s garage and its surroundings, as they sat at breakfast.
CHAPTER VI
A LITTLE KINDNESS AND WHAT CAME OF IT
Paul and Billy received letters from home in the morning mail. They were glad to have them,—would have been sorry indeed had their respective households neglected for one day to send solicitous inquiries—but they were so very “busy,” they assured themselves, that—well, if they could just get the time, they’d write in return that afternoon. Whereupon they set forth for Willie Creek’s establishment.
Mr. Creek was looking over a newspaper. He said he was waiting for a possible customer for a car whom he was to take out for a demonstration.