"If Rip and his crowd are or were in the cottage, they would hardly explode anything purposely and perhaps kill a man.

That man appeared to be dead---he must be dead.

Rip and Dodge are mean fellows, but they're hardly up to killing people." "There was an explosion," remarked Tom judicially, though his voice was still husky.

"Now, while I don't know everything, I believe there always has to be an explosive in order to bring about an explosion.

Am I right ?" "You stand on ground that no one can dispute," nodded Dick.