"It is all a cooked up story about his running away with them.

And it's a cooked up story about his having anything to do with those freight thieves.

My uncle is an honest man." "I know all about the freight affair, for I overheard him talking to some of the other thieves," answered Tom.

"Where is your uncle now ?" "Do you think I'd be fool enough to tell you ?" "Perhaps you might--if I had you locked up." "My uncle is a good long way from New York." "I heard you tell that man your uncle would be in the city to-morrow." "I didn't say any such thing!" burst out Sobber, but his manner showed that he was very much disturbed.
"You did say it.

Where are you stopping ?" "Nowhere--I only got in a few hours ago." "Did you come here to meet Cuffer ?" "What do you know about Cuffer ?" "I know your uncle hired him and a man named Shelley to visit our farm and get some things belonging to my father." "Why, you're crazy! My uncle hardly knows Cuffer--and I never heard of a man named Shelley." "I am not crazy, and you know I am speaking the truth," answered Tom, calmly.