Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/87



senator questioned Dave closely concerning all that had taken place on the train and also afterwards, and then told how the robbery had been committed.

"I believe that fellow was from some big city," said he. "At any rate he was no novice. The other folks, outside of Roger, had arranged to go on a visit to another house two miles away. I was to go with them, and went about half a mile, when I remembered that I had forgotten some important papers which I wished to have with me. I hurried back to the house on foot, thinking to make the journey later on, on horseback. The thief must have seen me coming, and must have run away only a few minutes before I arrived. I found everything in the bed-chambers and in the dining room topsy-turvy, and I knew at once what had happened. I ran out on the road to call in some farm hands, to go on a hunt for the thief."

"And that was when I saw you," said Dave. "One thing is sure, that thief must have made a quick run for the train." Rh