“No mention was made of anyone using it,” Brad tripped him up. “However, that’s how they have been coming here—down the road at night, crossing the log bridge afoot and then apparently to the lean-to.”
“That ain’t so!” Dobbs denied, suddenly losing control of his temper. “You’re just saying it to make trouble for me. You want me to lose my job! You’re sore because I told Mr. Silverton about the Cubs trespassing on the restricted area.”
“We’re reporting exactly what we saw,” Brad replied.
“Can you describe the two men?” Mr. Silverton asked, paying no attention to Dobbs’ accusation.
“One was heavy set and about middle age,” Brad recalled. “The other was taller. We couldn’t see their faces plainly because it was so dark.”
“They called each other Jake and Bernie,” Dan contributed.
The names struck sparks in Mr. Silverton’s mind.
“Not Bernie Bauer and Jake Freeze?” he demanded.
“We didn’t hear the last names, sir,” Dan returned regretfully.
“Nevertheless, your general description fits the pair,” Mr. Silverton said, turning again to the crestfallen foreman. “Friends of yours, aren’t they, Dobbs?”