Outside they came upon Herring, who turned pale when he saw Jack and muttered, half under his breath:
“Then you were not killed? I was afraid that——”
“No, he was not,” said Dick, “little thanks, however, to——” but Jack gave him a sudden look and he stopped short.
Herring hurried away to join some of his companions at a little distance and Dick said:
“I was too much in a hurry, I see, and now it will be harder to discover the truth. Herring will be on his guard.”
“And we don’t know that he had anything to do with it.”
“It lies between him and Merritt, I am certain, but I will keep still after this until I am certain.”
Those of the boys who had heard of the accident to Jack were quick to assure him of their satisfaction that he was not seriously hurt and there the matter rested.
The next day Dick and Jack went in the runabout to the bank where they delivered the cash box and other things which evidently belonged to it, leaving the package of registered letters and the postage stamps at the station at the foot of the hill.
“I am authorized by the bank to pay you a reward of one hundred dollars for the recovery of this property,” said the president, after he had thoroughly examined the contents of the bag. “Shall I pay it to you or put it to your credit in the bank? I will have a book made out if you prefer the latter.”