"One thing is sure, some money was gone, and we found those gold pieces on the floor," went on Gertrude. "Who could have opened the safe?"
"Who knew the combination beside your uncle?"
"Myself—he told me last month—when he had his last bad spell."
"Nobody else—that cousin, for instance?"
"I don't believe Mr. Bulson knew it."
"Then that's what made it look black for you. The safe wasn't forced open, that's sure. Somebody opened it who knew the combination."
"The money might have been taken some time ago," said Gertrude. "Anyway, it is gone, and you and I are supposed to be the thieves." She smiled bitterly. "How strange! and we hardly know each other!"
"And I don't see any way of clearing ourselves," said the newsboy, with equal bitterness. "But let that drop. What are you going to do? Going to some friend's house?"
"I have no friends here. You see, we came from Philadelphia, and I am not much acquainted as yet."