“But I want that matter investigated too,” I put in. “Squire Slocum, you were always a good friend to my father, and I don’t know whether this man is doing right or not according to law. I know he hasn’t acted as a fair and square guardian ought to do.” “I will do so later, Reuben,” was the reply. “But this has nothing to do with the case on hand. You say you know nothing more, and that you feel sure those two strangers are the guilty parties?” “Yes, sir.” “And that Mr. Norton and Carney are also implicated?” “I think so.” “The boy is a rascal!” shouted my guardian. “He is――” “Silence!” put in the squire. “I want no more interruptions from you.” “Then I don’t want you to allow that boy――” “Stop!” thundered Squire Slocum, who could get awfully mad at times. “Fuller,” he went on to one of the officers, “take this man to the jail.” “To the jail!” cried Mr. Norton, falling back in astonishment. “What have I done?” “You are wanted as a witness, besides being impertinent. You shall have another hearing this afternoon, or sooner if the other thieves are caught.” “Other thieves! Do you consider――” “I should have said the two thieves Pointer and the other officers are looking for,” corrected the squire. “Fuller, take Mr. Norton to jailer Harris.” And much against his will, my guardian was led out of the court room, quite a crowd following. “Reuben, I am sorry to see that you are mixed up in this case,” went on Squire Slocum in a lower tone. “I am not guilty, Squire. I never helped to steal anything in my life.” “But the case looks black for you,” was the grave reply. “We have some strong evidence against you to hold you――” “You mean the diamond I found?” “Not only that, but a number of other things.” “I should like to know what evidence you have?” “Your boat was over at Bayport last night, and did not leave until after two o’clock.” “Mr. Norton must have used it.” “Maybe, but that is not at present for me to decide. Then there are other things――” “What other things?” “A small iron bar used to pry open the safe door was found, and it had your father’s name stamped upon it.” “That is one that belonged to the mill. Mr. Norton or any one else might have carried it off.” “But you were seen, Reuben, in Bayport at eleven o’clock last night, and you say you were not there at all.” “Seen!” I cried. “No, no, Squire! Who says so?” “Several people. They saw you on Maple Avenue, right near the bank.” “It was not I.” “These people are sure it was. Then President Webster remembered seeing you at the bank a few days ago, and he says the janitor remembers that you hung around a good deal, just at the time Mr. Ditson delivered the diamonds to him.” “I was waiting for Mr. Markham, who had promised me a reward for saving his son from drowning.” “But this Markham was a very peculiar man,” went on Squire Slocum. “Webster thinks he might have had something to do with the robbery, although we cannot tell anything about it.”