Page:November Joe.pdf/94

 he owned up?" he nodded at Close. "Was they your boots, Mr. Close?"

"Yes," roared Close.

November looked back at the lumbermen with a meaning eye.

"But he denies the robbery!" said Thompson excitedly.

"Of course I deny it!" cried Close.

"Let's see them boots," put in November.

"The boys took 'em to the bunkhouse," said Thompson. "Say, Nov, think of him paying us with one hand and robbing us with the other, the—"

"Wonderful!" observed November in his dry way. He continued to stare hard at Close, who at last looked up, and I could have sworn I saw November Joe's dark-lashed eyelid droop slightly in his direction.

A change came over the manager. "Get out of here," he cried angrily. "Get out of here, you and your woods detective!" and some uncommonly warm language charged out at the back of the closing door.

In the bunkhouse, where we found a score and a half of lumber-jacks smoking and talking,