"I called you
in here to have a confidential chat upon the subject, and it is not
right to keep from me anything which may have a bearing on the matter."

"What I know can't be told for a while; but I'll give you the
particulars of what we've already found out," and without further
questioning Joe related the events of the past three days, save so far
as they were connected with the discovery of the vein.

"It surely looks suspicious," the superintendent said, musingly; "but I
fail to understand how those boys could have gotten the money from Sam's
pocket, unless he remained in town skylarking with them."

"That's somethin' I can't explain; but when I find Fred we'll know a
good deal more about the matter."

"Do you think anything could be accomplished by my visiting Sam?"

"I'm certain of it, for one talk with him is bound to convince you he
isn't a thief."

The superintendent remained silent several moments, and it seemed very
much as if this second conversation with Joe had caused a change of
opinion.

"Very well," he said finally, "I will think the matter over. Shall you
be here in the morning?"

"I'm goin' to leave Farley's as soon as I get a bite to eat, an' it
ain't likely I'll be back 'till Fred can come with me."

Mr. Wright arose to intimate that the interview was at an end, and Joe
left the store with a gesture of defiance and anger toward the cashier.

While all this was taking place Fred occupied anything rather than an
enviable position.

When the march was begun he found it extremely difficult to make his way
through the woods, loaded down as he was and with one arm tied to his
side; but Gus had no mercy. At every opportunity he spurred the prisoner
on, using a stout stick for the purpose, and more than once was Fred on
the point of open rebellion.

He felt confident the boys would not dare do more than give him a cruel
flogging, after which they must leave him behind; but this would be to
lose sight of the thieves, and almost anything was preferable to being
thus defeated in his purpose.

"I'll stick it out," he said to himself, "and wait for the time when I
can tell the story to some one who will help make them prisoners."

During an hour the boys traveled straight ahead, and then Gus insisted
upon a halt.

Tim agreed, because his breakfast had not been perfectly satisfactory,
and he wanted a second meal now they were, as he believed, free from
pursuit.

The provisions were brought