"I know nothing of how it came into my pocket," said Dean hotly, "but I suspect."
"What do you suspect?"
"That you put it there to get me into trouble."
"You hear him!" said Kirby, turning to the old man.
"What shameless effrontery!" exclaimed the old gentleman. "I don't know what the world is coming to. Have you ever missed anything before, sir?"
"Two or three articles of jewelry," answered Kirby, "but it never occurred to me to suspect the boy."
"It seems pretty clear now."
"Yes, I should say so."
Meanwhile Dean, with flushed and angry countenance, looked from one face to another, but everywhere he met looks of distrust. It was clear that the majority of the passengers believed him guilty. He understood now the nature of the plot against him, and the letter in his pocket would be a sufficient proof of it. But he did not wish to produce it. He chose rather to keep it on account of the evidence which it contained against Squire Bates.
"What shall you do about it?" asked the old gentleman, who seemed to feel particularly hostile against Dean.