Peabody's
coat.
"He insists you took it, but I never believed it for one moment,"
she said earnestly. "I'm sure Mrs. Peabody doesn't either; and I
didn't think Mr. Peabody really thought you took it. You know how he
flies into a temper and accuses any one. But if he came down to
Washington and said pointblank to you that you took it, it looks as
if he thought you did, doesn't it?"
"You wouldn't have any doubts if you had heard him," Bob said
grimly. "He had me by the coat collar and nearly shook my teeth
loose. Perhaps he expected to shake the deed out of my pocket. What
on earth does he think I could do with his old deed, anyhow?"
Betty explained the transaction of the lots as Mrs. Peabody had
explained it to her, and Bob understood that the farmer, basing his
reasoning on his own probable conduct under similar conditions,
suspected him of intended blackmail.
"How did you get away from him?" asked Betty presently. "Where did
he shake you? Couldn't you call a policeman?"
"He wanted a policeman," said Bob, chuckling. "He walked me about
two blocks, hunting for a cop. Then a crowd collected and I decided
it was better to wriggle out, and I did, leaving the only coat I
owned in his hands.
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