CHAPTER XIX. 

ABOUT THE ROBBERY. 

If Ralph had been astonished before, he was doubly so now. He looked from one to another of the men in amazement. 

"Do you really think I am one of the thieves?" he gasped. 

"It's mighty suspicious," responded Jack Rodman. "You were seen in the neighborhood of the post office to-night, and then this knife business is a clew." 

"I don't think Ralph will run away," said Bart Haycock. "I myself think he is innocent." 

"Thank you for those words," said the boy. "I am innocent." 

"Then you have no objections to our making a search about here," said the constable. 

"Not any objection whatever," said Ralph, promptly. "Search where you please." 

"I'll help you," said Uriah to the constable. 

"Hadn't you better hold me tight?" suggested Ralph, with a sarcasm which was entirely lost on the miserly storekeeper. 

"Well, I dunno," hesitated Uriah. 

"I will see to it that he doesn't run away," said the blacksmith. "This makes me sick, Ralph," he added, in a low tone. "I know you are as innocent as a babe. That post office was robbed by professionals." 

The constable and Uriah knocked on the cottage door and Mrs. Nelson let them in. She was greatly surprised when Jack Rodman declared his errand. 

"Ralph is indeed innocent!" she exclaimed. "You may search the premises all you please." 

The constable and Uriah took a lamp, and the search began. Every nook and corner of the cottage was gone over, but nothing that looked like what had been taken--money and registered letters--came to light. 
Who did Jack think was a thief?
Who thought he was innocent?
Where was Ralph seen tonight?
What did the constable want to do?
Who was going to help him?
What was robbed?
Who did the blacksmith think did it?
Who lived in the house to be searched?
Did she think he did it?
Who told her what they wanted to do?
Did she say it was ok?
What did they use to see by in the search?
Did they miss anything in their search?
What was taken in the robbery?
Did they find any of that?
Ralph
If Ralph
Bart Haycock
"I don't think Ralph will run away," said Bart Haycock
in the neighborhood of the post office
You were seen in the neighborhood of the post office to-night
making a search
making a search about here
Uriah
"I'll help you," said Uriah
post office
That post office was robbed
professionals
rofessionals
Mrs. Nelson
Mrs. Nelson
no
Ralph is indeed innocent
Jack
Jack Rodman declared his errand
yes
You may search the premises all you please
a lamp
The constable and Uriah took a lamp
no
 Every nook and corner of the cottage was gone over
money and registered letters
money and registered letters
no
nothing that looked like what had been taken--money and registered letters