'It is part of my duty to find them when they have been stolen,' said the sergeant.
'So I believe,' replied Jim; 'but if this horse I have is Mr Shaw's, it will save you any trouble in that line.'
'Except to catch the thief,' said the sergeant.
'Always provided the horse was stolen,' said Jim.
'Of course it was stolen; the man says so.'
'Then how did it come to be running about with my mob?' asked Jim.
'That's what I'd like to know,' was the suggestive and uncalled-for reply.
'What do you mean to infer by that?' asked Jim, hotly.
'Anything you please. Don't you think it needs some explanation?'
'I have told you what happened.'