He listened attentively to Jack’s story of falling down the ravine and finding the rubber bag and then examined the latter, saying:
“H’m, ha! yes, this is a most important discovery. I am not privileged to examine it closely, that will be the duty of the agent at the station and the officers of the bank, but I am very glad that the bag has been recovered. This packet doubtless contains registered letters for me. I was expecting them and their loss would have caused us all some trouble. One thing, however. Has no one told you of the danger of wandering through our woods, especially at night?”
Dick Percival was about to say something which Jack did not want him to say at the moment and he quickly interposed:
“Yes, sir, they have, and I will admit that I was careless. However, I will take better precautions in future.”
“Do so. I should be very sorry if anything happened to you and I do not like to restrict the enjoyment of the young gentlemen under my care. They enjoy walking through the woods but all of them know the danger and I need not restrict them as long as they know where to go.”
“Then these things had better be taken to the station and to the bank at Riverton?” asked Jack.
“Yes. To-morrow you and Percival may attend to it. Meanwhile, I will wire the bank officers that some of their property has been found. There will doubtless be a reward given for its recovery and I am very glad that this is so, for your sake.”
“My finding it was quite accidental, however, Doctor.”
“Even so, the reward has been offered and belongs to you. It is immaterial how the property was found as long as it was found. You must have had a thrilling adventure but I am glad that only your wearing apparel and not you suffered injury.”
The bag was left with the doctor and the boys left him, Jack to get whole garments out of his meagre store and Dick to house his car.