“No. He wants to watch and find out the thief. I wish you to help me, though I am acting against instructions. Mr. Goodnow asked me to take no one into my confidence. You will see, therefore, that it will be necessary for you to say nothing.”
“I won’t breathe a word,” said Jasper, who seemed to feel more at ease.
“Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person who would be likely to commit the theft?”
Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of malicious satisfaction said, “Yes, I can suggest a person.”
“Who is it?”
“The new boy, Rodney Ropes.”
James Redwood shook his head.
“I can’t believe that it is he. I am not in love with the young fellow, who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he seems straight enough, and I don’t think it at all likely that he should be the guilty person.”
“Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still waters run deep.”
“Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?”