"He thought it was some one that he knew," he answered briefly.
"Any one living around here?" asked Squire Bates, nervously.
"Excuse me, Squire Bates, but at present I think I would rather not tell. The party may be perfectly innocent, and my uncle's mind may be affected."
"Very true! It would not be at all surprising if that were the case. If you do care to take any one into your confidence, please remember that I am your uncle's friend, and might have it in my power to help you in your search."
"Yes, sir, I will remember that. I shall probably sometime wish to consult you about the matter."
There was a significance in Dean's tone that made the lawyer uneasy, but he had self-control enough not to show his feeling.
"As we are on the spot suppose we make a search, as each of us proposed. Did your uncle lose anything except the money—his watch, for instance?"
"No, his watch was all right."
This had not occurred before to Dean as singular. Now it tended to confirm him in the thought that it might have been Squire Bates, and not some common thief, that had robbed his uncle. The plain silver watch, never very valuable, which Adin Dunham had carried for twenty-five years, might have presented a temptation to an ordinary tramp. A genteel highwayman would not have thought it worth his while to take it.
"Really that is very singular," said the squire. "Thieves generally take whatever they find, and are not very likely to leave a watch behind."