Part 8 (1/2)
”It can't be true,” said Fred Garrison. ”I shall never believe it.” And a number of others said the same. But a few shrugged their shoulders-- those who had belonged to the Lew Flapp and Dan Baxter crowd.
”I never trusted those Rovers altogether,” said one. ”They have too much money to spend.”
”Well, they are worth a good bit of money,” replied another cadet.
”This ain't a quarter of the stuff I lost,” said Aaron Fairchild, after the baggage had undergone a rigid inspection.
”What have you done with the rest?” asked the constable of the Rovers.
”You may think as you please,” said d.i.c.k. ”I am innocent and I do not understand how that stuff got where you found it. An enemy must have placed it there.”
”Yes, and that enemy must be the one who robbed the shop!” cried Tom.
”It's easy enough to talk,” came from Ga.s.sam, the farmer. ”But you can't go behind the evidence, as they say in court. You might just as well confess, an' give up the rest o' the goods. Maybe if ye do that, they'll let ye off easy.”
”What do you consider this stuff worth?” asked d.i.c.k.
”Nigh on to thirty-five dollars,” answered Aaron Fairchild.
”How much did you lose altogether?
”About a hundred an' sixty dollars' worth.”
”Then the real thief kept about a hundred and twenty-five dollars'
worth for himself,” said Tom.
”There can be no doubt but that one of our enemies did this,” said Sam. ”The question is, which one?”
”Perhaps Dan Baxter--or Lew Flapp,” suggested d.i.c.k.
”Yes, but how did the things get into our clothes, Tom?”
”I give it up.”
”That sort of talk won't wash,” put in the constable. ”You have got to go with me.”
”Where to?”
”To Squire Haggerty's office.”
”I will go with you,” said Captain Putnam. ”This affair must be sifted to the bottom.”
It was learned that Squire Haggerty lived two miles away. But a wagon was handy, belonging to a nearby farmer, and this was hired to take the whole party to the place.
”You must take charge of the cadets,” said Captain Putnam to his head a.s.sistant. ”I must see this affair through.”
”I do not believe the Rovers are guilty, sir,” whispered George Strong.
”Neither do I. This is a plot against them. The question is, who carried the plot out?”