n be
begun bright an' early. It ain't likely I'll bring Fred home till after
I've seen the lawyer agin."

"If he isn't in trouble it will be better to remain away a few days
longer."

"I'll answer for it that he's all right, ma'am, an it sha'n't be many
hours now 'till he can hold his head up with the best of 'em."

With these cheering words Joe left the house, intending to go home for
supper before continuing his task; but on arriving opposite the store
Mr. Wright stopped him by saying sternly:

"I would like to have a few words with you, Mr. Brace."

"My time has come," Joe muttered to himself; "but I'll show these smart
fellows that they can't haul up everybody in town jest because it
pleases 'em."

CHAPTER XXV

JOE'S INTERVIEW

Joe Brace had a very good idea of why the superintendent wished to see
him, and he entered the office prepared to speak his mind plainly.

"I understand that you have not been working for the past day or two,"
Mr. Wright began.

"That's correct."

"Have you left our employ?"

"It amounts to pretty much that."

"Has Thomas quit also?"

"When a man knows that he's to be arrested, he ain't likely to hang
'round so's the warrant can be served without much trouble to the
constable. But jest now Bill isn't in a condition to work for anybody."

"What's the matter?"

"He broke his leg, an' a lot of the boys have brought him to the Widder
Byram's house."

"I hadn't heard of that."

"It'll come kinder rough on the constable."

"I understand to what you refer, Brace, and am not pleased to hear you
speak in such a manner."

"It can't be helped, sir. When a feller sees them as risked everything
to do the company a good turn while Billings had full sway, run down an'
chucked into jail for nothin', it makes him feel sore."

"There was good reason for the arrest of Sam Thorpe."

"Even admittin' that's so, which I don't, why should Fred Byram an' Bill
be pulled into the fuss? There's nothin' to connect them with it."

"They have acted very suspiciously ever since the money was said to have
been lost."

"That's where you are makin' a big mistake, Mr. Wright. I've had a hand
in all their maneuvers, an' so has the widder, consequently if one is
guilty the whole crowd are."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't explain yet awhile; but it'll come out before long, when you'll
see everything was square an' above board."

"Look here, Brace," Mr. Wright said, in a friendly tone: