"Where is the person who has lost a pocket-book," inquired Mr. Page, looking from one to another.
"Inside," replied a man, a cripple whom Francisco had often assisted at the baths. "She is quite hysterical. I hear it contained a large sum of money. I'll never believe Francisco had anything to do with the theft."
Mr. Page did not reply. The boy gave his defender a grateful look before passing into the house with the others.
The loser of the pocket-book sat in a rocking-chair, somewhat calmer and more composed than she had been when Mauricio left her. The sight of Francisco, however, seemed to bring on a renewal of her excitement until Mr. Page said:
"Pray be quiet, madam, until we have learned something of the particulars of this theft. I am here on behalf of this boy, whom, I am told, you accuse of having taken your pocket-book. It is a very serious accusation."
William, stationed back of his mother's chair, darted a triumphant glance at the Indian boy. Francisco stood, cap in hand, silently awaiting what the woman had to say. With a hysterical gulp, she began:
"I always keep my pocket-book with me, usually in my bosom. Yesterday, while I was lying in the hammock, a pedlar came with some notions. I bought from him a paper of pins. After paying him I put the pocket-book under the pillow of the hammock. I distinctly remember doing that. Afterward I dozed off, and upon awaking forgot all about the pocket-book. Everybody was at the baths at the time, and I hurried there so as to get my bath before dinner.
"When I came back, the Indian boy was just going off with his water-wagon. I would have spoken to him, but he avoided me. I attributed this to surliness at the time, but now I believe it was because he was guilty and could not meet my eye."
Francisco was about to speak, but Mr. Page said: "Not yet, Francisco; not yet. Is this all the evidence you have against the boy, madam?" he continued.
"No, it is not," she rejoined. "I did not miss the pocket-book until this morning. As soon as I did miss it I went to the hammock. It was not there. My neighbor first put it into my head that the boy might have taken it."