“There does not seem to be any reason for doubting it,” observed Dan, “in view of the evidence before us. George, you’d better take charge of the B. and B. property for the present. This looks like a providential coincidence for you!”
“It looks,” replied George, in a bewildered way, “like a story out of a book!”
“My young friend,” remarked Dan to Tom Pagdin, “you had better allow me to uncock that rifle; there is a danger of it going off at present.”
“No,” said Tom, positively, “I’m goin’ to keep this rifle to his hind ear; I ain’t goin’ to trust him, now, after we’ve put him away.”
“No,” said Dave, “we ain’t goin’ to trust him—not more’n six inches from the barrel, anyway.”
“Well,” said Dan with a dry smile, “as you seem to be the leader of the party, you will be good enough to say what we are going to do next?”
“Will he be hung?” asked Tom in an anxious voice.
“I am not prepared to pronounce judgment,” replied Dan; “but if the statements you have just made fit with certain facts I have in my mind, the case will probably present important developments.”
“I don’t understand all that,” replied Tom; “but I reckon the best thing to do is to give this cove in charge!”
“A very reasonable suggestion, my young friend,” observed Dan. “How will you proceed to do it?”