“Just for the exercise, or have you any scheme in your mind, Hugh?”

“Both, I might say.  The mile walk will do us good, and then we may be able to satisfy ourselves about a few things.  It is just half a mile out to the cross-roads, and Deacon Winslow’s house and smithy, you know.”

Thad looked interested at once.

“So, that’s the way the wind blows, is it?” he remarked.  “You want to interview the deacon, too, as well as Chief Wambold?”

“But not from the same motive, Thad.  On the contrary, while he went out to try and find a reason for believing Nick guilty, in spite of his alibi, I mean only to ask a few questions that will clear up a little point that is a bit muddled.”

“Perhaps I could guess what that is,” said Thad quickly.  “You’re puzzled to understand why Nick should have been out there on just last night of all times, when any other would have done just as well.  How about that, Hugh?”

“That’s one of the things I’d like to have cleared up,” Hugh admitted.  “Between us, Thad, I’ve got a pretty good notion Nick knew about this contemplated raid on Kramer’s store.  Perhaps in times past they may even have plotted such a thing, so as to get all the cigarettes and candy they wanted for once.  I even believe he was refusing Leon and Tip Slavin, who were urging him to join in with them, when I saw him shake his head and skate away yesterday.”

“Go on, Hugh, you’ve got me interested again; sure you have.”

“While Nick wouldn’t think of betraying his former associates, from whose company he had broken away, at the same time he was smart enough to see he would be placed under suspicion.  And he must have arranged this alibi so as to prove his positive innocence.  If that turns out so, it shows Nick to be a wise one.”

Shortly afterwards the pair were trudging along the road outside the corporation limits of the town of Scranton.  It was some time before the customary church hour, and they were almost certain to find the old deacon at home, Hugh believed.

On the way they met a car coming along the road.  In it was Chief Wambold.  Scranton had advanced far enough toward the dignity of cityhood to have an auto for the police force, since the Chief often had to go to neighboring towns on matters of business, taking a prisoner, or getting one to fetch back.

He nodded to the boys as he shot past.

“Doesn’t look very amiable, does he?” muttered Thad.  “So I rather guess he didn’t get much satisfaction from the old deacon.  But he’s awful stubborn, is our efficient head of police; and if he can find any way to put that business on Nick’s shoulders he will, take my word for it.”

Hugh only smiled as though he was not worrying about anything Chief Wambold could accomplish.  He had known the other to make several “bone-plays” since coming to Scranton, and hence Hugh did not have a very high opinion of the official’s merits, though not doubting his honesty of purpose at all.