"But the money was missing."
"To be sure! Probably some tramp came along, and finding him unconscious robbed him as he lay powerless."
"I thought of that, but if he had fallen from the buggy he would have been bruised."
"And he was not?"
"There was no sign of hurt or violence, only that he seemed upset by some shock."
"What account did he give of the robbery—if there was one?" asked Squire Bates, his face expressing keen interest.
"He said that a man stopped his horse, climbed into the buggy, assaulted and robbed him."
"Humph!" said the squire, with an expression difficult to read. "Did he describe the person?"
Dean hesitated. Should he or should he not, let Squire Bates know that he was suspected! He decided to half reveal the secret.