Part 26 (1/2)
”Humph! They might have been stolen this morning!” exclaimed Ferris.
”Or last night,” added Saunders. ”The last I saw of the cuff-b.u.t.tons was last night, and the pocket-book yesterday noon.”
”I don't see how that can be possible,” replied Hal, quietly.
”It's easy enough,” exclaimed Ferris. ”Just because I was home during the afternoon, and you were not, doesn't prove that you didn't take the things.”
”No, that doesn't, but something else does,” replied Hal.
”What?”
”This newspaper, which was wrapped around the box.”
At these words Ferris grew white, and trembled from head to foot.
”What about the paper?” asked Saunders, curiously.
”It is an afternoon paper, dated to-day. It could not possibly have been put around the box before one o'clock this afternoon.”
CHAPTER XII.
HAL IN A FEARFUL SITUATION.
Every one in the room was surprised at Hal Carson's unexpected statement.
”Let me see the paper!” cried Saunders.
Hal handed it over, and the dry-goods clerk scanned it eagerly.
”You are right,” he muttered, and shook his head.
”That can't be the same paper that was around the box,” put in d.i.c.k Ferris, very red in the face.
”It certainly is,” replied Hal.
”Yes, I saw Carson pick it up from the spot where I threw it,” returned Saunders. ”This puts a new face on the matter,” he added, with a sharp look at Ferris.
Mrs. Ricket also looked at her nephew.
”d.i.c.k, come here,” she commanded.
”What do you want?” he demanded, doggedly.
”I want you to return Mr. Saunders' fourteen dollars.”
”I haven't got it.”
”I know better.”