Then you all got into
it and paddled about a while, and afterward got carried over the rips
and upset in the water. Your cap drifted down the stream, and you
went after it in the canoe and got it. After that, you took off your
stockings and wrung out the water from them, and then came home. You
got into the study only about a quarter of an hour before I came."
Marco listened to this minute account of his adventures with eager
interest, wondering how his cousin could have obtained so early and
such complete information. After Forester had concluded, he paused a
moment and breathed a long sigh. Then he laid his head down upon his
pillow again, saying,
"Well, I don't see how you found it out; and I am sorry that you did,
for I meant to have told you all about it myself."
Marco seemed really disappointed at having lost the opportunity to
make his full confession, but Forester told him that he considered
that he _had_ made full confession. "You made up your mind to
do it," said he, "and you did begin, and it was the beginning which
required all the effort. I only refrained from asking you about the
details, from a wish to show you that I really knew all about it."
"I don't see how you found it out," said Marco. "I suppose it must
have been that the boys told you."
"No," replied Forester; "I have not seen either of the boys, or heard
any thing from them, directly or indirectly."
"Then you must have watched me yourself," said Marco, "instead of
going away."
"Do you think," said Forester, "that I would pretend that I was going
away, and then just go out a little way and lie in wait to watch you?
"Why, no," - said Marco, - "I don't really suppose that you would."
"No," said Forester, "I really went away nut of town. I went to visit
a sick man and help him make his will, and I did not return until just
before you saw me."
"Then I don't see how you knew," said Marco.
"It is of very little consequence to you to know that," said Forester,
"but I want to ask you a little more about the affair. Are you willing
to answer any question that I may ask?"
Marco said that he was, and Forester asked him about the circumstances
which led him to go away. Marco explained to him how he saw the boys,
and what he thought that they were doing, and what induced him to go
and see them, and how he was prevented from coming back as he had
intended.
