"
"What do you mean? Can't you speak in plain English?"
"I'll do my best," laughed Fred, who so often had been the object
of attention from his friends that now he was rejoiced that in a
measure at least the tables were turned. "Well, we were at the
bank," he continued. "My grandfather told me to stay outside
while he went into Mr. Reese's office. They were in there about
five minutes and then Mr. Reese came out and asked me to tell our
canal-boat friend that his presence was desired in the office, so
I went outside the bank and found the man they were looking for,
gave him the message and then I went back."
"Didn't they want you in the office too?" inquired John.
"I didn't receive any strong urging to enter," laughed Fred, "so
I decided it was better for me to stay outside."
"How long were they in there?" inquired Grant.
"I suppose it was about half an hour, but it seemed a good deal
longer."
"Who came out first?"
"The canal-man."
"Was he alone?"
"Yes."
"How long before any one else came out?"
"Five minutes anyway, perhaps ten."
"What did your friend do?"
"He went out of the bank and that's the last I saw of him."
"You don't know then whether he went to the hotel or the station,
or came down the river."
"I have told you just what I know and all I know. I can't do any
more."
"So we're just as wise as we were when we began," laughed George.
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