"I think he must have gone out in a boat on the pond and got drowned," said Cromwell.
"Has the body been found?" questioned the merchant.
"Not yet."
"Was not the pond searched, then?"
"No."
"Then how do you know that he was drowned there?"
James Cromwell moved uneasily in his chair. It was not a pleasant question for him to answer.
"I cannot, of course, say positively," he stammered, "but I have every reason to feel satisfied that the boy is dead."
"And yet, come away from Madison without ascertaining definitely."
"I thought there was no need," said Cromwell.