How is this, Tony?” he began. “You leave my horse in the woods to be brought home by another boy. He might have been stolen, do you know that?”
“I’ve been deceived and led into a trap,” said Tony.
What on earth do you mean? Who has deceived and trapped you?”
“The Quaker, who was stopping here. Has he come back?”
“He has settled his bill and left the hotel. What cock-and-bull story is this you have hatched up?”
“It is a true story, Mr. Porter. This man was not a Quaker at all. He was a tramp.”
“Take care what you say, Tony. Do you take me for a fool?”
“He is a man I used to know. When I was coming home he was waiting for me in the woods, only I didn’t know who he really was. He told me there was a man who had fallen into a well in the woods, and he wanted my help to get him out. So I tied the horse and went with him. I wouldn’t have left him but for that story of the man in the well.”
“Go on,” said the landlord. “I warn you I don’t believe a word of this wonderful story of yours.”
“I can’t help it,” said Tony, desperately. “It’s true.”