Once started at the task, Ralph became greatly interested. He was amazed at what the documents before him revealed of the plans and villainies of old Gasper Farrington. There was evidence enough, indeed, as Slump had said, to send the village magnate to the penitentiary.
“This information will be of great value to the railroad people,” said Ralph. “It would enable them to at once break the strike.”
“Whoa!”
Ralph gave utterance to a cry of delight and surprise. He ran to the little window of the scow. Not fifty feet away was a horse and wagon. Its driver had shouted out the word to halt. Now he dismounted and was arranging a part of the harness where it had come loose.
“Hello, there! Joe! Joe! hurry this way!” fairly shouted Ralph.
“Hi, who’s that, where are you?” demanded the person hailed. 168
“In the scow. Ralph! Locked in! Get me out!”
“I declare! It can’t be Ralph. Well! well!”
Nimbly as his crutches would allow him, Limpy Joe came towards the scow. He halted as he neared the window where he could make out the anxious face of his friend.
“What are you ever doing there? How did you get in there? Why, this is wonderful, my finding you in this way,” cried the cripple.