“You boys had better stay here all night,” invited Mr. Johnson. “I’ll be glad to have you, and it’s so late now you can’t get to Cresville.”
“What will our folks say?” asked Bob. “You know they might worry if we didn’t come home.”
“There is a telegraph station not far from my house,” put in Dr. Rand. “A message can be sent to Cresville from there.”
So it was arranged. Ned drove the doctor back, and found that in the meantime the bridge had been repaired so that the passage was safer, though a horse could not be driven over it. The physician promised to send the message to the boys’ parents, and, leaving Ned, Dr. Rand walked across the planks, got in his own carriage and drove home, while Ned made his way back to Mr. Johnson’s.
The sick woman continued to improve and soon was much better. Mr. Johnson secured the services of some women neighbors who were brought to his house by Ned in the carriage, and arrangements were made for the boys to spend the night.
The next morning Mrs. Johnson was so much better that she insisted on sitting up and having a talk with the three boys, whose coming was so fortunate for her. She had high praise for them, especially for Jerry, who blushed like a girl.
“I hear you all come from Cresville,” said Mrs. Johnson. “Isn’t that where a mill was robbed not long ago?”
“Some one took one thousand dollars from Mr. Judson’s place,” answered Ned, wondering what was coming.
“I think the thieves must have got some of my money.”
“Your money? What do you mean?” asked Ned. “I thought it was all Mr. Judson’s.”