"I owe you an apology for intruding upon your premises in your absence." Uncle John strode into the room angry and indignant at the fellow's cool impertinence.

The Major and Louise followed, and all eyes centered upon the face of Bob West.
"The contents of this cupboard," remarked the hardware merchant, calmly, "belong to the estate of Captain Wegg, and can scarcely be claimed by you because you have purchased the house.

You falsely accused me the other day, sir, and I have been searching for proof that the Almaquo Timber Tract stock is entirely my property." "Have you found such proof ?" inquired Mr.Merrick.
"Not yet." "And you say the stock was all issued to you ?" West hesitated.
"It was all transferred to me by Captain Wegg and Will Thompson." "Does the transfer appear upon the stock itself ?" "Of course, sir." "In that case," said Uncle John, "I shall be obliged to ask your pardon.
But the fact can be easily proved." He walked to the open cupboard, felt for the slide Joe had described to him, and drew it forward.

A small drawer was behind the orifice, and from this Mr.Merrick drew a packet of papers.
West gave a start and half arose.

Then he settled back into his chair again.
"H-m.