Part 20 (1/2)

”I should rather go in the Goldwing,” said Thad, looking at his companions.

”You must be in a hurry about it, for she will be off in a few minutes,”

added Corny. ”We won't get home to-day if we don't take this chance.”

”When are you going, Dory?” asked Nat Long.

”I don't know when I shall go. If you have a chance to go, you had better use it,” replied Dory.

After a little discussion, the four members of the Goldwing Club decided to improve the opportunity to get home; for Dory could not say that he should go to Burlington that day. All of them but Corny took occasion to say that they believed Dory was all right, so far as the money was concerned; for the detective did not seem inclined to say any thing about the matter beyond the rather encouraging statement he had already made. A few minutes later the skipper saw a small steamer leave another part of the town, and he was again alone so far as friends were concerned.

”I think we had better go up to the Witherill House, and look the case over,” said Peppers, after the boys had gone.

”Why do you say there will not be much music for me to face, Mr.

Peppers?” asked Dory, as they walked up the wharf. ”I am accused of stealing the money, and I don't understand the matter.”

”I am sorry Hawlinshed did not come back with you,” replied the detective, without answering the question. ”In fact, we want him more than we want you.”

”Do you want him as evidence against me?” inquired Dory very anxiously.

”We are looking into the case, and finding out all we can. We have some ideas, but we don't say much about them,” said the detective.

Dory could not get any thing more out of the officer. They soon reached the hotel, where he was introduced to Mr. Velsey, the landlord, who was informed that the skipper of the Goldwing had come to face the music, whereat he looked very good-natured, and conducted the party to a private parlor.

The landlord wanted to know where Dory had been since he left the hotel the morning before; and he told the story in full of his trip on the lake, and the pursuit of the Missisquoi. The hotel-keeper and the detective were very much amused at the manner in which he had dodged the steamer, and especially when the hero stated that he had left his pursuers aground on Colchester Shoal.

”But, if I am charged with stealing this money, I want to know about it,” said Dory when he had finished his narrative. ”Pearl Hawlinshed said I was wanted here; and here I am.”

”You were about the hotel night before last, were you not?” asked Peppers.

”I was. I was here to see a gentleman who had a room on the next floor.

I left between ten and eleven,” replied Dory promptly.

”I don't think it is any use to go into that matter, Peppers,”

interposed Mr. Velsey, when he saw that the detective was disposed to make as much parade over the case as possible. ”Come to the point at once.”

”Have you any money, Dory?” asked the officer, evidently coming to the point as directed.

”I have: I have sixty dollars and some change,” answered Dory, without any hesitation, as he put his hand upon his wallet in his pocket.

”Have you any five-dollar bills?” continued the detective.

”I have two five-dollar bills. The rest of the money is in tens.”

”Will you show me the fives?”

Dory produced his wallet, and handed the two bills to the officer.

Peppers pa.s.sed them to Moody at once. The latter shook his head, and handed them back to the detective, who returned them to the owner. The skipper wondered what all this meant, and was very much surprised that Peppers did not ask him where he had got the money he paid for the Goldwing.