“Then how did the barn catch fire?” asked Tom, a good deal puzzled.
“It was set on fire.”
“Did you——”
“No, I did not set the barn on fire; I could have no object in doing it. The fire was kindled by John Simpson himself.”
“Do you mean it?” asked Tom, his eyes wide open with surprise.
“Yes, I mean it.”
“But why should he want to burn down his own property?”
“He wanted to burn me up in it,” answered Darius, coolly.
“Why should he be so wicked?” asked Tom, more and more surprised.
“Hark you, my young friend, John Simpson is a much more wicked and desperate man than you have an idea of. He has reasons for wishing to get me out of the way. I know a secret of his which may give him trouble.”