“You say there’s no danger,” Mr. Slade was remarking in answer to Ned’s statement to that effect. “But I heard about Jerry Hopkins and his experience this afternoon. It seems to me there was danger there.”
It was three days before the two fathers arrived at a decision. They had consulted in the meanwhile, and Jerry’s machine had been closely examined. Bob and Ned had both taken turns on it, and showed that, after a little practice, they could run it perfectly. Jerry, also, had become quite expert.
In the meantime the boys were so engrossed with the idea of motor-cycles that they had almost forgotten about the mill robbery. They met, according to appointment, under the tree in the woods, but there was nothing new to tell. With the discovery of the queer bank bill, and the knowledge that Paul Banner was saving it, the boys resolved to let the matter rest for a while.
The police and detectives, and even the fussy sheriff, had discovered nothing, save that the money was gone, which every one knew. As for Noddy, he did not act like a guilty person. Bill Berry had disappeared for the time being.
Noddy seemed to have plenty of money. He was careful not to apply to his father again, however, and the source of his supply was a mystery except to himself. In about a week Mr. Nixon, of his own accord, gave Noddy two hundred dollars.
“I hope you will spend it wisely, my son,” he said. “It is wicked to waste money, when so much good can be done with it.”
“I say, father,” began Bob to Mr. Baker one evening, a little more than a week after the time Jerry had received his prize motor-cycle, “have you thought any more about that machine for me?”
“I have made up my mind,” went on Mr. Baker, with exasperating slowness, “that you can not—”
“Oh, father!” burst out Bob.
“That you can not get along without one,” finished the banker with a laugh, “and so I have ordered one for you.”