The brunt of the inquiry thus met, Olly felt that he was acting his part very well, and took courage. Then somebody in the corridor whispered to Mr. Hatville, who immediately asked:
"What boy was that who came here to the house for you last evening?"
"Boy? I don't know of any boy!" said Olly.
"You remember, Amy; you showed him upstairs," said Mrs. Merriman.
"I know the one you mean; one of the Frog-End boys!" exclaimed Mrs. Murcher. "He said he and some friends of Olly's were camping on the beach, and they wanted him to join them. It can't be that he took it!"
"Who showed him upstairs? You, Amy?" cried Hatville.
It was a moment of fearful suspense to Olly, who remembered what Perce had said of coming to invite him to their picnic, and learning that he had either sailed in the yacht or gone home to show his new clothes. He stopped breathing to hear Amy's reply, in clear, silvery tones, from the farther end of the corridor.
"Yes; I showed him up, and pointed out Olly's room. Mrs. Murcher thought Olly was there, trying on his new clothes."
"But he wasn't," said Mrs. Murcher. "And the boy came downstairs again in a very few minutes."
"Where was he during those few minutes?" Mr. Hatville demanded. "Did you watch him, Amy?"