The dried leaves made crackling sounds under Captain Black's feet as he walked around the yard outside the Mumberson mansion. Finally, he came to an open door. Several police officers were standing there, talking to a young man who held an icebag to his head.
"Captain, I'm Mark McLain," the young man said. "I was hired to guard the mansion while the family was away." He looked very upset. "Guess I didn't do such a good job."
"Tell me what happened," said the Captain.
"I just stepped out into the yard for a moment," said McLain. "The burglar must have crept up on me and knocked me out. Then he took all the valuables in the house. What a bad break for me!"
"Almost as bad as that story you told. Arrest him, men! He's lying!"
~Why did the Captain suspect McLain's story?~
