“It was found with the handkerchief,” said Eugene, averting his sad face. “What does all this mean? What ails you, Hungerford?” demanded Dick, astonished at the singular conduct of his friend. “I suppose he doesn’t want to say much about it,” interposed the sheriff; “and I will do the talking.” “Will you? You will oblige me by doing it as speedily as possible,” replied Dick, whose flushed and indignant face sufficiently explained his feelings. “You are believed to be the person who was with Mr. Buckstone at the time he was murdered, or just before the event.” “Who believes me to be the person?” asked Dick, who seemed to grow an inch taller, as his head was involuntarily thrown back by the impulse of his natural pride. “I do, for one,” answered the deputy sheriff. “What reason have you for thinking so?” “Because your handkerchief, and one of your cigars, which can only be obtained in Boston, were found in the boat that made those marks on the beach,” answered the official, pointing to the prints. “They were found in that boat--were they?” said Dick, apparently as much astonished as Eugene. “They were; more than this, Ross Kingman, who thinks as much of you as of any other man in the world,--unless it be Mr. Hungerford,--believes that you were the man he saw with Mr. Buckstone.” “I have nothing to say,” replied Dick. “Speak, Dick! Tell me it is not so, and I will believe you before all the rest of the world!” exclaimed Eugene. “Not a word, Hungerford, to-night,” answered Dick, proudly. “I am not prepared to speak yet.” “Don’t be angry with me, Dick.” “Certainly not, Hungerford. There is my hand,” said Dick. “Appearances are against me. When I have cleared myself of the charge of falsehood, I will come into your presence again, but not till then.” “Come, Dick,” added Eugene, taking his hand; “this shall not part us even for an hour.” “It must; I told you and Dr. Bilks this morning that I was not the person. You despise a liar; so do I. Good night, Hungerford;” and springing up the rocks, he disappeared beyond the bluff, heeding not the calls of his friend. Before the party could reach the landing-place, he was seen in a boat crossing the channel towards the Port. CHAPTER XIII. DICK UNDER A SHADOW. “What does all this mean, Eugene?” asked Julia, perplexed and troubled by the singular conduct of Dick Birch, as well as by the facts which had been developed by the deputy sheriff. “I don’t know, Julia; it is all as new to me as it is to you,” replied Eugene. “With what is he charged?” “With nothing, Miss Hungerford,” interposed the sheriff, wishing to remove any wrong impression from her mind. “If Mr. Birch was with Mr. Buckstone at the time of the murder, or just before, we should like to use him as a witness.” “Mr. Birch says he was not with him.” “I see no reason why he should deny the fact, if it is a fact,” said Eugene. “If he met Buckstone, he did so with the best of motives.”