“Does Applegate know that?”
“Not yet. But Dad is going to tell him now. He says he knows it will look bad for him, but he’s going to tell the truth about it. He knew the combination, although of course he would never think of using it.”
From the library came the dull hum of voices. The harsh tones of Hurd Applegate occasionally rose above the murmur of conversation and once the boys heard Mr. Robinson’s voice rise sharply.
“I didn’t do it. I tell you I didn’t take that money.”
“Then where did you get the nine hundred you paid on that note?” demanded Mr. Applegate.
There was silence for a while.
“Where did you get it?”
“I’m not at liberty to tell you.”
“You won’t tell?”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I got the money honestly—that’s all I can say about it.”
“Oh, ho!” exclaimed Applegate. “You got the money honestly, yet you can’t tell me where it came from! That’s very likely, isn’t it? If you got it honestly you shouldn’t be ashamed to tell where you got it.”
“I’m not ashamed. But I’m not at liberty to tell.”
“Mighty funny thing that you should get nine hundred dollars so quickly. You were pretty hard up last week, weren’t you? Had to ask for