“Yesterday afternoon I discussed the matter with Riley,” Verbeck went on. “We sat here at the table and talked in ordinary tones. Last evening the three of us discussed it, sitting at the table and speaking softly. I doubt whether a man, had he even been in the bedroom adjoining, could have understood us clearly. Yet the Black Star knows all about it—he knew in time to have that letter reach the newspaper by two o’clock in the morning. I, for one, am certain I did not communicate with the Black Star or any of his crooks.”
He turned his back upon them again, and looked through the window.
“But—but——” Riley stammered. “Why, nobody except the three of us knew anything about it!”
“Exactly!” said Verbeck.
“Then how—— You don’t think I tipped it off in any way?”
“Boss,” cried Muggs, “you don’t suppose I——”
“I am not thinking, or supposing, anything about it,” said Verbeck. “We are confronted by facts.”
“Well, let’s consider the matter squarely,” Riley offered. “Even if we take it for granted that either Muggs or myself is a member of the Black Star’s band, when would either of us have had a chance to betray the plan?”
“You went outdoors and prowled around considerable about midnight,” Muggs said. “You had a chance then.”
“If it comes to that, my impetuous friend, you were alone in the kitchen yesterday afternoon while Roger and I were discussing the matter. You were there when mysterious black stars got stuck on a loaf of bread and when there was an alleged mysterious assault on your own person committed by somebody who could not have been in the house at the time.” Riley showed some anger in his voice.