"That's the sentimental mire that foreign criminals wallow in," he replied with irony. "I cannot see that it mitigates the crime."
"And yet," interrupted Mr. Starr, "see how the influence of a mere
girl turned him to right? I did like that boy!"
Cora and Laurel had crept away to the far end of the porch. Two men came up the path.
"Hello!" said Mr. Breslin. "Officers!"
There was surprise on the officers' faces when they saw Mr. Breslin, their superior officer, the mayor of Cedar Lake, sitting on the porch. Greetings were exchanged and finally they ventured to make known their mission.
They had heard that someone saw Cora Kimball take the state's evidence—the can of "red paint!"
"But what was a can of paint?" asked the mayor. "As if a girl would want that," and his voice was almost mocking.
"Well, it might have been dynamite," and the man who wore brass buttons shook his head sagely.
"A girl steal a can of dynamite," repeated Mr. Breslin mockingly.
The officers were trying to see who was in the hammock. But the man therein sank back into the cushions, while Jack carelessly slipped his chair directly in front of him.