the puffing engine, the constable who had
arrested Sam accosted him.

"Where you bound, Joe?"

"To Blacktown," was the gruff reply. "What are you up to? Servin'
warrants for that fool of a cashier?"

"Yes, I reckon that's about the size of it."

"Got one for me?"

"Of course not; what makes you talk such nonsense?"

"I heard that Bill was goin' to be 'rested, 'cause he'd tried to help
Sam, an' seem's he's a mate of mine I didn't know but you'd planned to
pull in the whole family."

"But now be honest, an' admit that the case looks pretty black for the
two boys."

"That's all nonsense. Sam lost the money, an' it was the fault of the
company, not his."

"How do you make that out?"

"Easy enough. They'd no business to send him with so much stuff. It was
the cashier's duty, an' that's what makes him so sore, 'cause Mr.
Wright's bound to blame such slip-shod ways of shirkin' work."

"Allowin' you're right, it don't help Sam Thorpe's case any."

"We'll see about it before the world's many days older. I ain't quite a
fool, an' when I get through your precious cashier will feel sick."

After this threat Joe refused to indulge in further conversation, and
the constable left him to seek more agreeable company.

The words of the officer had aroused a new train of thought in the
miner's mind, he fancied the lawyer whom Bill had consulted should be
informed of what had happened.

With this idea he visited the legal gentleman, immediately after the
train arrived in Blacktown, and not only told him all which had happened
relative to the robbery; but divulged the secret of the vein.

The knowledge that his clients were in a fair way to be rich, and,
consequently, influential, caused a very decided change in the lawyer's
manner, and he displayed more zeal than Joe had expected.

"We can easily get bail for your friends in case they are arrested," he
said, "and in the meanwhile I will attend to the deeds. It is necessary
the titles should be searched before the discovery is known by the
public, and if you need any money I shall be glad to advance it."

"If the farmer can't back out of his trade, we've got all that'll be
wanted yet awhile," Joe replied "but the most important thing jest now
is to get Bill an' the boys out of their scrape."

"Can you find Mr. Thomas?"

"I reckon so."

"Then tell him to come here at once. Perhaps it will be well for the boy
to remain in hiding a day or two longer, and I shall mak