“We saw a man leave there shortly after midnight,” Mr. Parker agreed.
“You wouldn’t swear he was Clem Davis?” the sheriff asked.
“I’m not sure,” Mr. Parker admitted truthfully. “However, it’s obvious that a man scarcely could have gone from Toni’s at that time and still set fire to the barn. My daughter and I drove directly there, and when we arrived the building had been burning for some time.”
“All of which proves nothing unless you can show that Clem Davis actually was at Toni’s after midnight.”
“Could the owner of the place identify you?” Penny thoughtfully inquired.
“I doubt it,” Davis answered. “It might be worth a try, though.”
“Perhaps I can prove that you weren’t near the Preston farm at midnight!” Penny exclaimed as a sudden idea came to her. “Clem, you heard the Hubell clock strike the hour?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How many strokes were there?”
“Thirteen,” Davis answered without hesitation. “I counted them and figured the Hoods were having one of their get-togethers.”