“Well, then why don’t you go and finish the job on Frick?” demanded Arnold. “At least you can have the satisfaction of punching his fool head!”
“It doesn’t seem to me,” answered Toby dryly, “that that would be conclusive evidence of my innocence.”
“Who said it would be? It would make things a lot easier, though, wouldn’t it? It would for me, I’ll bet! Give me leave and I’ll do it for you!”
“Much obliged, but I wouldn’t get much satisfaction out of it, I guess. No, the only thing is to——”
“What?” asked Arnold as Toby’s voice died into silence.
Toby shook his head. “Nothing. Stand it, I suppose. After all, it doesn’t much matter. And I don’t believe Collins will keep me on very long. I guess he sort of half thinks I’m shielding some one else.”
“You’re not, are you?” demanded Arnold suspiciously.
Toby laughed. “Well, where were you at nine o’clock that night, Arn?”
“Don’t be a gillie! I suppose you know that Frick will get your place on the First? Mr. Lyle will have to take some one over, and he’s the best there is left, isn’t he?”