Even stout-hearted Hugh felt his doubts rising.

He wondered if, after all, he had made a mistake in his judgment of Owen, and his belief in the boy's honesty.

Hugh remembered some of the things that were being said around town concerning the old man of the dismal place called the "Rookery." His aversion to meeting people, as well as other odd traits about him, had caused no end of talk.

Some even said they were not Americans, but foreigners, English possibly.
Altogether Hugh felt considerably exercised.

He shut his teeth hard together, however, and told himself that no matter how many suspicious circumstances seemed to surround Owen, he would still continue to have faith in the boy.
"Whenever I think of Owen's clear eyes," he told Thad, "and the way they look you fair and square in the face, I feel positive that boy can't be a sneak and a thief.