"Very well, sir."
Ferguson scanned Fred with a smile.
"You certainly don't act like one under suspicion," he said.
Fred smiled in return. "I find it hard to realize that I am a suspected burglar," he responded.
"So do I. Let us hope that you will very soon be cleared from suspicion."
The detective and the two boys turned their steps towards the spacious and attractive International.
"It seems a little ahead of the Lynch House," said Fred, "but probably the prices at the latter suit my pocketbook better."
They stepped on the piazza, and went into the office.
Mr. Ferguson opened the hotel register, and among the recent entries found the name of Edmund Lawrence.
"Is Mr. Lawrence in?" he asked the clerk.