Noddy was appalled at this answer, for it indicated that Fanny was already suspected of the deed.
"Of course Fanny would not do such a thing as set the boat-house on fire," said Bertha.
"Of course she wouldn't," added Noddy.
"What made you say you did not think Noddy set the fire, Ben?" asked Mr. Grant.
"Because I think he had gone off somewhere before the fire, and that Miss Fanny was in the building after he was. Noddy was sculling off before he had done his work, and I called him back. That's when he wished the boat-house was burned down."
"It is pretty evident that the fire was set by Noddy or Fanny," said Mr. Grant; and he appeared to have no doubt as to which was the guilty one, for he looked very sternly at the wayward boy before him.
"I think so, sir," added Ben.
"And you say that it was not Noddy?" continued Mr. Grant, looking exceedingly troubled as he considered the alternative.
The boatman bowed his head in reply, as though his conclusion was so serious and solemn that he could not express it in words. Noddy looked from Ben to Mr. Grant, and from Mr. Grant to Ben again. It was plain enough what they meant, and he had not even been suspected of the crime. The boatman had seen Fanny come out of the building just before the flames appeared, and all hope of charging the deed upon some vagabond from the river was gone.
"Do you mean to say, Ben, that you think Fanny set the boat-house on fire?" demanded Mr. Grant, sternly.