“That’s a lie. I don’t know who said such a thing, but it’s just not true.”

“Then how did Will Cutter get his hands on this knife of yours?” Ben stood and lifted the knife by its tip, letting it dangle like a dead fish.

“There you have it. If he said he got my knife from me last night, you know he’s lying. My knife was missing before that. We even talked about it yesterday.”

“That’s not what he’s says. He says you’ve been there before and you lost your knife another time.”

“Well, I don’t care what he said. I have never had anything to do with Will Cutter. I’ve only been to Rabbit Hash landing once in my whole life. That was when you took me across the ferry for horse tradin’.”

Ben thought for a moment. “That’s good to hear, James. So there must be some other explanation for his having your knife and telling us you were with him. It’s puzzling, though. Why would he make up a story like that if you don’t have anything to do with him?”

“I don’t know why, but he’s makin’ it up. I swear.”

“Then let us leave that aside for now and clear up this other matter.” Ben nodded. It was easy enough to believe Cutter was lying.

“Tell me about your friendship with Miss Sally McKee.” His uncle offered a friendly smile and laid his hand on the lad’s shoulder.

“Sally McKee?” James stared back at his uncle. “Why I haven’t seen her, except in church. And she hasn’t even been there for the last couple of Sundays.”

“Come now, lad. You can tell me. I was young once, you know.”

“Uncle, I tell you that I ain’t had nothing to do with Sally McKee.”

“Boy, I can understand a young fellow getting caught up in the moment and doing something rash. There is another issue here though. That is your continuing to spark on Betsy while carrying on with Sally McKee. It is just not a proper thing.” Ben shook his head and went on. “As far as I am concerned, your conduct toward Betsy is the more serious.”