"Yesum."
"Well, what has happened to him, man? Can't you speak?"
"He's took."
"Took?"
"Nabbed. Got the darbies on and gone South a wisitin'."
"Do you mean to say that Watson has been arrested?"
"I do, mam," grunted Brower. "He's well out of town, goin' South, and I reckin he'll be in Jeffe'son City before we hear from him agin. I seed him a-goin' with my own eyes."
"How did it happen?"
The man explained how young Skidway had been seized and taken on board the train by Dyke Darrel.
"You are sure his captor was Dyke Darrel?"