For the first time I told it with all the details that concerned myself,—­ how I had been waylaid by the Models, how Dick Blair had released me, what Stumpy had done at the tool house, and all, not forgetting about the statement Kate and I wished so much to find.

The Widow Canby and my uncle listened with close attention until I had finished.

“It’s a strange story, Roger,” said the widow, at its conclusion.  “One hard to believe.  But I know you tell the truth.”

“What a rascal this Woodward must be!” broke in my uncle “He’s a far greater villain in his way than this John Stumpy.  I am strongly inclined to figure that you’re right, and he is the one that ran your father up on a lee shore.”

“I don’t think father did a single thing that was wrong—­ that is, knowingly,” I returned.  “If he did do wrong, I’m sure Mr. Woodward made it appear as if it was all right.”

“No doubt, no doubt.  If you could only get to the bottom of this Weaver’s statement.”

“And when is this trial to come off?” put in Mrs. Canby.  “Really I don’t see what good it will do me if this man has lost the money.”

“I’d like to find that, too,” I returned.

Presently Kate announced that supper was ready, and we all sat down.  The widow said that she had found her sister much better, and on receiving Kate’s letter had started for her home at once.  The loss of the money did not disturb her as much as I had anticipated, and as every one was hungry, the meal passed off tolerably well.

When we had nearly finished there was a knock on the door, and Kate admitted Mr. Woodward’s errand boy.  He had a note for me.  It contained but a single sentence:—­

“Please call at my house this evening about nine o’clock.”

I read the note over with interest, and then informed the others of what it contained.

“Shall you go?” asked Kate, anxiously.

“I suppose I might.”

“Maybe it’s a plot,” suggested the widow.

“Might waylay you,” added Uncle Enos.  “A man like him is liable to do ’most anything.”

“I don’t think he would dare do me any bodily injury,” I replied.  “He would know I had told some one where I was going, and that my absence would be noticed.”

“If you go, take me in tow,” said my uncle.  “I needn’t go in with you, but I can hang around outside, and if anything goes wrong, all you’ve got to do is to holler like all creation, and I’ll come to the rescue.”

“Oh, if Roger runs any risk, I’d rather he wouldn’t go,” exclaimed Kate, in alarm.

“I don’t think the risk is very great,” I returned.  “Besides, I may find the missing statement.  That is worth trying for.”

“I shall be in dread until you return,” she replied, with a grave shake of her head.

“When will you start?” asked Uncle Enos.

“About half past eight.  It won’t take over half an hour to reach his house.”