Bart soon got into communication with Mr. Wilding, and with the two chums, at their hotel. They said they would hurry to the lodging house, and Mr. Wilding announced that he would bring a detective from headquarters, rather than have the boys ask a policeman to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, Mr. Wilding advised Bart to keep close watch on the lodging house.
William and Bart now took up their positions where they could observe the entrance to the place. They did not know there was a rear stairway, but, as Cassidy had no idea of spiriting Ned away, desiring, in fact, to only keep him secure, there was no need of guarding the back.
It seemed a long time before Mr. Wilding arrived with the detective. About the same time Frank and Fenn got to the place.
“I have told the detective all about it, as far as we know the circumstances,” Mr. Wilding said. “Are you sure Ned is in there, William?”
“Almost positive,” was the answer. “The man admitted as much. He says Ned stole money from him and has to work to pay it back.”
“We’ll soon see about it,” the detective put in. “I know Cassidy. He’s a rough sort, but he’s square I guess. Come on.”
Up the stairs they went, the hearts of the boys beating with anxiety. Mr. Wilding’s face showed the strain he was under but, as for the detective, he seemed to take it all as a matter of course. He had seen too many similar scenes to be affected.
The little party entered the main room of the lodging house. Mr. Wilding pressed forward, close behind the detective. Through the office window he caught sight of a boy scrubbing the floor. There was something dejected in the lad’s appearance. Mr. Wilding looked a second time. Then he called out:
“Ned! My boy!”
“Father!” cried Ned, and an instant later he was locked in Mr. Wilding’s embrace, while the tears, which he did not try to conceal, streamed down his face.