“Surely MacGregor had something to do with it,” argued Sandy.
Corporal Rand rose and walked slowly across the floor to a little table, where he helped himself to a glass of water. He turned and regarded the boys thoughtfully.
“Here is a supposition that may throw a little light on what actually occurred. ‘Rat’ MacGregor, as we have reason to believe, was the first person to have designs upon Dewberry. He planned the robbery. He drugged his victim. Evidently murder did not enter into his calculations. When all was still in the room, MacGregor crept over to Dewberry’s bunk to commit the robbery.
“In some way his plans went wrong. Perhaps the drug had not proved sufficiently potent. While taking the money and poke, let us say, Dewberry woke up. Perhaps Dewberry made some slight exclamation or sound, which terrified MacGregor and which also might have aroused some other sleeper in that room. In desperation, we will assume, MacGregor murdered Dewberry, but is surprised in the act by this other person who had awakened. Just for the sake of my theory, we will say that that person was Frischette, that in some way he got the ‘drop’ on MacGregor, compelling him to hand over the money and poke and then forcing him to leave the place immediately.”
“Yes, that is plausible,” agreed Dick. “But why Frischette? There were other persons in the room beside him. Why do you think that Frischette may be the guilty one?”
“Because Frischette is planning to leave the country. He claims that he had made a lot of money up here, and is now giving his business to the boy, Fontaine, for a small consideration. That in itself is suspicious. Frischette’s determination to go ‘outside’ surprised me because I remember that, less than a year ago, he confided to me his intention to build three new road-houses here in the North.”
“When is he planning to leave?” asked Sandy.
Corporal Rand smiled reminiscently.
“He expected to go this week, but he has changed his mind since my last talk with him. As a personal favor to me, he has consented to postpone his journey until this little mystery has been cleared up.”
“But do you think that Frischette is aware that you suspect him of the theft?”