“Our cousin has gone to get money for him from Father,” added Bob. “But Father must have started for home before Lang got there, and it was only when the man at The Windsock threatened to come and tell you and make it look worse than it is, that Griff lost his common sense. We came back here to meet each other and saw what he was doing and convinced him it was a mistake.”
The impulsiveness of Al prompted him to “put in his oar,” but his earlier bluster was gone and he kept still.
They watched Mr. Parsons.
His face was set and pale, his fingers worked nervously. He had his head bent.
Bob, quietly picking up the telephone as he heard the impatient voice of someone at the other end of the connection making it squeak, spoke into the transmitter quietly.
“We’ll call you back. Something has come up to make things different.” He hung up the earpiece.
Apparently Mr. Parsons did not notice him at all. Added to the blow given by his son’s confession that he had broken promises and gotten into deep trouble was the knowledge that three loyal companions, with full knowledge of his guilt had not only protected him from himself but had shielded him at the expense of being, themselves, suspected and unfairly accused.
Mr. Parsons looked up. He held out a hand to Bob.
“I beg your pardon,” he said, “I am sorry!” Bob, smiling with some relief, eagerly gripped the extended hand, to be followed by Curt and Al.
Then the father turned to his son.