Part 37 (1/2)
”I did,” answered Harry, undaunted.
”How dared you do it!” again demanded Temple, in the same tone.
”I thought he must be uncomfortable.”
Temple looked at him as if puzzled to account for his cool courage. It was evident that here was a boy who would not be easily scared.
”Did you know that I tied him?” asked Temple, fiercely.
”Yes.”
”And yet you dared to untie him?”
”Certainly. You had no business to tie him.”
”What! you dare say this to my face?”
”Why shouldn't I? What did you tie him for?”
”Didn't he tell you?”
”No.”
”Then I will, though it's none of your business. He stole my property.”
”Did you do that, Philip?” asked Harry, who was not yet aware of Temple's suspicion.
”No; I hope to die. I did not!” answered Philip, solemnly.
”What does he say that you stole?” continued Harry.
”He says I stole a tin box, containing some bonds or something.”
”I begin to understand,” thought Harry. ”Philip is suffering for what I have done. I must free him, if I can.
”Was the box in the cabin?” he asked, not considering it prudent to betray all that he knew.
”No; it was buried in the earth, out in the woods,” said Philip.
”That's true,” said Temple, with an oath. ”It was all the property I had.”
”It's a queer place to keep articles of value,” said Harry, looking steadily at Temple.
”I shall keep my own property where I please,” said Temple, doggedly.
”You don't suppose I'd keep it here in this hut. It wouldn't be safe for twenty-four hours.”
”Did you see Philip take it?” continued Harry, a.s.suming, unconsciously, the tone of a judge or advocate.
”No; but I saw him prowling round near-by, and the earth had been disturbed. As for the tin box, that was gone, and he stays here till it is found.”