Part 25 (2/2)
”When did your nephew come home?” asked Hal, turning to Mrs. Ricket.
”Don't answer him, aunt,” cried Ferris. He was beginning to get alarmed again.
”What harm will it do?” questioned the woman. ”If you are innocent, d.i.c.k, it won't matter.”
”He wants to get me into trouble.”
”Please answer my question,” said Hal, decidedly.
”d.i.c.k came home about two o'clock.”
”Has he been home ever since?”
”I believe so.”
”Now, Mrs. Ricket, where were you all the afternoon?”
”Me?”
”Yes.”
”I hope you don't suspect me!” cried the landlady, in alarm.
”No, I do not. But please answer me.”
”After dinner I cleaned all the halls from top to bottom, and then saw to it that Katie cleaned the front stoop and the windows.”
”Then you were in the halls and around the front door most of the time?”
”I was.”
”Did I come in at any time during the afternoon?”
”I didn't see you?”
”Wouldn't you have seen me if I had?”
”I suppose I would,” admitted the woman.
”What does all this talk amount to?” put in Ferris.
”Shut up!” cried Hal, sharply. ”I am not addressing you.”
He turned to Saunders.
”You hear what Mrs. Ricket says. I was not here to steal your things.”
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