g either case, and, above all, make no
promises without first consulting me."

Joe and Fred left the office, the former saying when they were out of
doors:

"Keep a stiff upper lip, lad, an' if the company gets the best of us,
remember that Farley's isn't the only colliery in the middle field. When
Bill is on his pins again we can pull up stakes an' look for another
job."

"I am worrying about Sam rather than ourselves. It would be terrible if
he was convicted of a crime he never committed."

"Better that than to be guilty; but we won't look at it in such a bad
light yet awhile. I'm off now; when it's time for me to be back, hang
around the hotel."

Then Joe started at a brisk pace, and with a heavy heart Fred walked
aimlessly through the town.

The idea that by so doing he might learn something regarding Skip seem
preposterous, and he hardly gave it a thought after Joe made the
suggestion, therefore he was startled by hearing a familiar voice
crying:

"Hi! Fred! Hold on a minute!"

Turning quickly he saw Skip coming toward him at full speed, and looking
as if he had been on a long, rough journey.

"Where have you been?" he asked, in surprise.

"Trying' to find that feller Tim."

"Tim? What did you want of him?"

"Nothing'; but I thought you might. When things turned out at Farley's
as they did it seemed to me that by gettin' hold of him the truth would
come out."

"Have you been at that work all this time?"

"Yes."

"Of course you couldn't find him."

"Of course I could, an' if you want him I'll go straight to where he's
hiding."

Fred looked at his friend in astonishment for an instant, and he cried:

"Come to the lawyer's with me this minute. You're the very fellow he's
been wanting to see."

Five minutes later the two were closeted with Mr. Hunter, who appeared
very well pleased with the news brought by Skip.

"How did you chance to find the boy?" he asked.

"It was a good deal like luck. Fred told about he an' Gus campin' by the
river, an' I snooped up that way. A lot of us fellers stayed a week in
the same place, so it was handy to get around. It was two days before I
saw any signs of him, an' then I come mighty nigh tumblin' over his
camp."

"How long since you left him?"

"Yesterday noon."

"Have you been traveling all this time?"

"Pretty much; but it don't make any difference if you want to send after
him."

"That is exactly what I want to do, and as soon as possible."