it plain that he was, or believed he was, able to
take care of himself.

"Don't bother your head 'bout me, 'cause even if you have got a show of
gettin' into the Fire Department, you ain't very well posted on the
detective business. I'll get back without any of your help, an' I'll
bring Jip with me."

All Seth's sympathy fled, and without further attempt at leave-taking
the two walked out of the car, glancing back from the door an instant at
the alleged detective, who was looking as important and satisfied as a
boy well could look.

It was decided between Bill and Seth during the voyage across the river,
that after having made a report to those who awaited their coming they
would visit Jip Collins in his retreat at the Erie Basin.

"There's only a few of us knows where he is, an' of course we've got to
keep it a secret for a spell, so you, an' Dan, an' I must give the other
fellers the slip if we can."

Seth agreed to this after having been assured that there would be no
difficulty in getting back to the engine-house as Mr. Davis had
commanded, and once they were on the New York shore Bill fulfilled his
duty to his friends by giving a detailed account of all Sam had said and
done.

Some members of the party--and there were a few who considered Master
Barney one of the most promising young detectives in the city--were
fully satisfied with the manner in which he was reported to have borne
himself when he set out to bring to a successful close this his first
important case; but those who believed that Sam's ability existed only
in his own mind were inclined to ridicule his fantastic behavior, and
one of the company was applauded loudly as he said:

"If Sam cavorts 'round Philadelphy the same way he went on board the
ferry-boat, they'll run him in for a lunatic, an' we'll never see him
again till he turns over a mighty big leaf."

Then the would-be detective's acquaintances separated, each intent on
his own business or pleasure, and there was nothing to prevent the
three who were bent upon aiding Jip Collins, from proceeding on their
errand of mercy.

Now that Sam Barney's departure was an accomplished fact, Seth began to
reproach himself with having aided in sending the boy so far from home
that it might be many weeks before he could return, and while walking
toward Hoboken Ferry gave words to these thoughts.

Bill Dean, however, was not troubled with any pangs of conscience
because he had in a certain degree