“Thank you, Dan; but you will lose your time by that.”
“A day or two won’t matter. It isn’t likely I’ll strike anything at once, things are so dull.”
“Maybe Mr. Norton won’t have you around.”
“Then I’ll sit on a rock on the other side of the road,” laughed Ford. “He can’t stop me from doing that.”
“Suppose you go back with me and keep out of sight until I give you some sort of a signal,” I suggested.
“That’s an idea. If I show myself at once he’ll keep in till I go away.”
We decided to act on this plan at once. There was no telling when Squire Slocum would get back from Bayport, and, strange as it may seem, I did not like the idea of leaving Mr. Norton in sole charge of the mill.
He knew nothing of the business, which must be looked after; and besides, I was afraid to trust him.
We started at once. When in sight of the mill, Ford stepped into the bushes, saying he would draw up close on the water side, and if I needed him to give a loud whistle.
This arranged, I walked boldly up to the mill door and entered. Mr. Norton was nowhere to be seen; but an instant later he appeared with a flushed face.