“Oh, not—not particular friends; at least, I’m not,” Sleuth hastened to reply. “For some reason, he hasn’t seemed to like me very well.”
“Then you can’t throw any light on this odd affair? You weren’t with him last evening?”
“I saw him at the pup-post-office a-bub-bout half past seven,” faltered Phil huskily.
“And you didn’t see him after that?”
“I don’t—remember. I don’t th-think so.”
“How about you, Billy? Did you see him later in the evening?”
“I wasn’t at the post-office,” said Piper, finding it impossible to meet the doctor’s steady eyes. “I didn’t see Hooker there.”
“Nor anywhere else?” persisted the physician.
“Nor—anywhere—else.”
“Well, he must have been with some one nearly three hours later, and we’ll find out who it was when he gets able to talk, if not sooner.” The doctor glanced at his watch. “If you hear anything, let me know.”