“I don’t believe it,” said Mrs. Brackett, faintly.
“Perhaps you will when you hear a little more about this precious brother of yours. Andy, tell Mrs. Brackett what you know about him.”
For the first time, George White looked nervous and uneasy. Andy spoke without hesitation:
“The last time I saw him he tried to rob me of a large sum which I was carrying to deposit in the bank, three hundred miles from here. He was in company with an older man, who was caught, and is now serving a term of years in State’s prison.
“It’s a base lie!” said White, but his face showed that the charge was true. “The boy is accusing me to get off himself. Do you believe this shameful story, Lucinda?”
“Of course I don’t. The boy slanders you, George. Will you send for the constable and have the young rascal arrested?”
“As you please, madam,” said Andy, coolly. “I shall be able to prove my innocence.”
At this moment a loud knocking was heard below, and they hurried downstairs into the sitting room.
“Oh, it’s the constable!” said Mrs. Brackett, joyfully. “Mr. Peters, we were just going to send for you to arrest a thief.”
“Oh, you’ve found him out, have you?” asked Mr. Peters, looking rather surprised.