Skinny kept breathing, but could hardly speak.
Then he said, "I put it in the other pocket. I forgot. Mostly I don't put things there."
"I see," Mr. Ellsworth said, just as if he believed every word. "You don't know what key it is, I suppose, Alf?"
"No, sir," he said. And then he gulped and seemed terribly scared and excited.
"All right," Mr. Ellsworth said, "just leave it with me. I expect I shall be able to pin the cross on you in a few days, Alf. Have a little patience."
Then, all of a sudden Skinny blurted out, "Am I a hero?"
"Yes, indeed," Mr. Ellsworth said, and he smiled at him and patted his shoulder.
CHAPTER XXI
TELLS ABOUT MY TALK WITH MR. ELLSWORTH
After they were gone, Mr. Ellsworth told me that I shouldn't get so excited about nothing. I have to admit that's the way I often do.