Frank went over his experiences for the benefit of Mr. Bradlaugh and the deputy sheriff.
“Thought, mebby, you’d made a mistake in recommendin’ Lenning, hey?” grinned Hawkins. “That why you came out to the mine?”
“No,” Frank answered, “I’ve got a lot of confidence in Lenning. I didn’t think he’d do such a thing, and I’m not positive he did it now.”
“Don’t dodge the facts, my boy,” interposed Mr. Bradlaugh. “I think it’s pretty plain, myself. Lenning’s record is all against him.”
“It must have been Lenning, Chip,” asserted Hawkins.
Just as before, when Merry had stood up for Lenning and asked Mr. Bradlaugh to give him a place, every one was against the boy. His friendlessness was even more evident than it had ever been.
“If Lenning made off with the bullion,” said Frank, “then I’m out six thousand dollars—in case Hawkins fails to get it back.”
“We’ll talk about that later,” said Mr. Bradlaugh significantly.
“A bargain’s a bargain,” said Frank firmly. “You’ll have to give me time, though, Mr. Bradlaugh. I’ve got to do something to get hold of that six thousand myself. That’s what it’s liable to cost me for taking a chance on Lenning.”
“Hold your bronks a spell, son,” put in Hawkins. “Don’t forget that I’m on the job, or that I’d work harder for you than I would for any one. I’ve said a number o’ times that you’re the clear quill; and when I toot my bazoo to that effect about any one, it’s a sure sign they’re pretty solid with me. I want to tell you that I’ve laid hold of this proposition with both hands, because Mr. Bradlaugh told me Lenning was your protégé. I don’t reckon you had much savvy when you tried to help the coyote, but you acted accordin’ to your lights. When a feller does that-a-way, he’s entitled to credit. Just on your account, son, I exerted myself more’n common. I managed to get hold of half a dozen men and hosses, and they’re shacking off to lay for Lenning and his burglar pal, between here and the border. That’s where they’ll make for, I reckon—mostly they all do. Mexico’s safer than the U. S., arter a job same as this. Don’t be down in the mouth till Hawkins throws up his hands and says there’s nothin’ doin’. It ’u’d tickle me plumb out o’ my boots to get back that bullion for you.”