Part 29 (1/2)
The squire did not relish this remark, and he turned away with some saying on his lips to the effect that if a man wanted to make a fool of himself, why, it was a free country.
”You are very kind, Mr. Carrington,” said Ralph to the gentleman. ”I did not expect this.”
”It's all right. I don't expect you'll run away.”
”You can rest a.s.sured that I will not.”
”So I won't be anything out of pocket. And let me thank you personally for what you did for my wife and daughter. I just heard of it, as I have been away.”
The party walked over to Squire Paget's office and here the necessary papers were made out and signed. The squire wished to put off the question of bail until more news should come in, but he had once fixed the amount, and Mr. Carrington would not let him go back on his word.
It was nearly nine o'clock when Ralph returned home and told his mother of all that had happened. A dozen men were out hunting for the robbers, but no news concerning them had yet come in.
”It was kind of Mr. Carrington to go your bail,” said Mrs. Nelson.
”It was, indeed, mother. Now, I only hope they catch the robbers. Then I will easily be able to clear myself.”
Breakfast was on the table, and the two sat down. While they ate Ralph revolved the question of the robbers in his mind, and set to thinking of one who might have accomplished it.
”By Christopher Columbus!” he cried, suddenly, leaping from his chair in his intense excitement. ”He did it, I'll bet a million dollars!”
”Why, Ralph, what's the matter?” exclaimed Mrs. Nelson, half-believing her son had suddenly gone crazy.
”I know one of the men who robbed the post office, mother--at least, I think I do,” he added, cooling down somewhat.
”And who is it?”
”Dock Brady.”
”Dock Brady? I never heard of him before.”
”He is the man I rescued from the hay barge during the storm.”
”Oh, I remember now. But what makes you think he is one of the men?”
”Because I remember he asked me something about the post office while we were out sailing. Then I saw him sneaking about the place when I was putting up circulars there. And that is not all. I saw him buying powder at Mr. Dunham's store.”
”That certainly looks suspicious,” returned Mrs. Nelson. ”It's a pity you didn't think to tell Mr. Hooker of this.”
”I was too excited to remember it. I'll go off right after breakfast and let him know.”
Ralph was as good as his word. Half an hour later the postmaster was in possession of all the facts. Then a call was made upon Mr. Dunham, who stated that he remembered Dock Brady very well.
It was thought by the constable and the postmaster that Ralph was right, and an extra party was organized to hunt for Dock Brady.
The information was gained before nightfall that Brady and a man named Gaston had been stopping at a second-rate hotel in Eastport for two days.
They had settled their bills the evening before and left, stating that they were going to Chambersburgh on the night boat.