"Then," said Compton, the storekeeper, with growing admiration, "you don't believe this robbery was done by nary couple of burglars that come to town last night and got clean away before morning?"
"I don't know about their getting away," said Tobias. "Maybe it would be well to look about to see who's missing. But these burglars must have been in town some time and knowed all about the bank and Bill Purvis. No doubt o' that, Mr. Compton."
"Wal," croaked Ezra Crouch, his eyes like big porcelain buttons, "who's gone away since last night? I dunno, 'less 'tis old Miz Janey Ring that's gone down to Harbor Bar to visit with her darter-in-law."
"Oh, sugar!" snorted Tobias.
"And it ain't sure they got away by train," said the storekeeper. "Who has gone out by boat, or left in an automobile?"
"That's what I say," Tobias observed, still staring at the gold knife. "Maybe them burglars ain't left town at all. No tellin'. Humph! I cal'late I'd better give this to Arad."
He walked to the side door of the bank—the door opening on the lane—and punched the button.
CHAPTER XIX
SUSPICIONS
Lorna Nicholet was some time doing Miss Ida's marketing on this morning. When she finally came out of the butcher's shop and started for her car she observed Conny Degger sitting on the Inn porch. The young man threw away his cigarette and started up, evidently intending to greet her.