“I positively disclaim any personal animosity,” interrupted Sleuth. “I’m simply doing my duty, that the ends of justice may be attained. I will add, Sage, that I’m mighty sorry to see you involved.”
Following this statement he turned somewhat savagely upon Hooker, to whose side he quickly stepped.
“You’re to blame,” he snapped in a low tone. “You forced me into this sooner than I intended.”
“I did?” muttered Roy, astonished. “How?”
“You broke your pledge to me. You forgot your solemn oath. I suspected that you might, and, fortunately, I had my eyes open. I saw you skin up here to tell Sage, and I lost no time in notifying the constable and getting him to bring an armed party to search these premises.”
“I’ll bet they don’t find anything,” said Hooker. “I hope not. If they don’t, it will take some of the swelling out of your head.”
“Time is val’able,” announced Abel Hubbard sagely, “so we’ll begin s’arching right away. We’ll take the stable fust, and then we’ll go through the house. Git at it, boys,” he commanded, with a wave of one pudgy hand.
The men started to obey, but before they could really begin the door of the little granary at one side of the stable swung open, and a man stepped out into view.
“If you’re looking for me,” he said coolly, “you needn’t go any further; but let me state right here that I was in no way concerned in that attempted bank robbery.”
“Clarence!” gasped Fred Sage.