Ford marched Carney up to Squire Slocum’s office. I lingered behind to make an examination of the cuddy.
It was not long before I found all the articles that had belonged to the mill stored in the forward hold. I also found Mr. Norton’s valise; but it had been broken open, and was empty.
This last discovery filled me with dismay, for I had counted on the contents of the valise clearing up part of the mystery surrounding the man who had treated me so harshly. Whether Carney had thrown the letters away or hidden them I could not tell.
As soon as I had finished my investigation, I followed the others to the squire’s office. I found Squire Slocum examining Carney, and ready to hear what I might say.
“I will lock him up, and we will have a full hearing to-morrow,” said Squire Slocum after I had finished. “I am in a hurry this morning. I will send a message to Pointer, telling him about the meeting last night at the mill. I wish you had let me know as soon as possible, but I suppose you were worn out.”
“Both that, and besides the fire drove it out of my mind,” I replied.
“And that was the case with me,” added Ford.
“I will also have a man take charge of Carney’s boat,” went on the squire. “We now have three different boats with detectives on board sailing the lake, and perhaps we’ll catch these fellows before night.”
“Ford and I are going after them too,” I returned.