the skipper saw a small steamer leave another
part of the town, and he was again alone so far as friends were
concerned.

"I think we had better go up to the Witherill House, and look the case
over," said Peppers, after the boys had gone.

"Why do you say there will not be much music for me to face, Mr.
Peppers?" asked Dory, as they walked up the wharf. "I am accused of
stealing the money, and I don't understand the matter."

"I am sorry Hawlinshed did not come back with you," replied the
detective, without answering the question. "In fact, we want him more
than we want you."

"Do you want him as evidence against me?" inquired Dory very anxiously.

"We are looking into the case, and finding out all we can. We have some
ideas, but we don't say much about them," said the detective.

Dory could not get any thing more out of the officer. They soon reached
the hotel, where he was introduced to Mr. Velsey, the landlord, who was
informed that the skipper of the Goldwing had come to face the music,
whereat he looked very good-natured, and conducted the party to a
private parlor.

The landlord wanted to know where Dory had been since he left the hotel
the morning before; and he told the story in full of his trip on the
lake, and the pursuit of the Missisquoi. The hotel-keeper and the
detective were very much amused at the manner in which he had dodged the
steamer, and especially when the hero stated that he had left his
pursuers aground on Colchester Shoal.

"But, if I am charged with stealing this money, I want to know about
it," said Dory when he had finished his narrative. "Pearl Hawlinshed
said I was wanted here; and here I am."

"You were about the hotel night before last, were you not?" asked
Peppers.

"I was. I was here to see a gentleman who had a room on the next floor.
I left between ten and eleven," replied Dory promptly.

"I don't think it is any use to go into that matter, Peppers,"
interposed Mr. Velsey, when he saw that the detective was disposed to
make as much parade over the case as possible. "Come to the point at
once."

"Have you any money, Dory?" asked the officer, evidently coming to the
point as directed.

"I have: I have sixty dollars and some change," answered Dory, without
any hesitation, as he put his hand upon his wallet in his pocket.

"Have you any five-dollar bills?" continued the detective.

"I have two five-dollar bills. The rest of the money is in tens."

"Will you show me