ne of
Skip's regulators was over here this noon, an' flashed up considerable
money for a boy like him."

"And you think he stole the package from Sam?"

"I don't say anything of the kind, but Skip heard 'bout the trouble Sam
was in, an' thought it wouldn't do a bit of harm if we found out where
this feller got so much cash."

"When are you going?"

"In the mornin', but don't get your hopes up, for it may all end in
smoke."

Regardless of this warning Fred did grow excited, and before Bill took
his departure he felt quite confident that the thief would soon be
discovered.

His spirits fell considerably next morning when Joe returned from New
York, having come home on the night train.

"It's no use," he said sadly, as he entered Mrs. Byram's home just as
Fred and Bill were making ready to set out for Blacktown.

"Won't Mr. Wright do anything to help Sam?"

"No; he says if the boy is innocent it will be much better to have the
matter settled in court, when everybody will know he was wrongfully
accused."

"Does he believe him guilty?"

"I'm afraid so, though he didn't say very much."

"When is he coming home?"

"Day after to-morrow. He got a long letter from the cashier yesterday,
an' I reckon that made the case look pretty tough agin Sam."

"Well," Bill said, speaking for the first time since the arrival of his
mate, "we've spent the money for nothin', but it can't be helped now. We
thought it would be best to see him, an' since it's turned out wrong all
we can do is to push the other plan for what it's worth."

"What's the other plan?" Joe asked.

Bill explained, and concluded by saying:

"It will be a good idee to have you here to post us on what happens
while we're away. Keep your eyes peeled, an' if anything pertic'lar
turns up come over."

Then, without waiting to hear whether Joe was pleased with the idea,
Bill started, calling sharply to Fred as he left the house:

"It won't do to loaf, lad, if we've got to get Sam out of the scrape
with all the officers of the company agin us."

A hurried good-bye to Joe, a kiss from his mother, and Fred followed,
bent on proving his friend's innocence in order that the suspicion of
crime might also be removed from him.

During the walk to Blacktown hardly a word was spoken, but Bill said
when they were within sight of the village:

"We'd best separate here an' to-night I'll meet you over by the hotel."

"Ain't we going to see Sam?"

"Not to-day."