“Who are you?” asked Mr. Williams.
“I am Enos Norton, this boy’s uncle and guardian.”
“Ah, indeed! Well, you can be thankful. We came very near arresting the boy.”
Mr. Norton was greatly taken aback. He asked half a dozen questions at once, and he grew pale at the mention of Carney’s name.
“Have—have you arrested that man?” he faltered.
“No; but we’re going to,” replied Constable Pointer.
“Of course, of course,” said Mr. Norton uneasily. “He has done a great wrong. Reuben, you should have told me that Mr. Markham gave you the sloop.”
To this I made no reply. A little later Mr. Williams and Pointer went on board their boat, and Darrow accompanied them. They were bound for Bayport, and expected to catch Andy Carney on his return to Rock Island.
I walked to the mill slowly, Mr. Norton following. I was deeply perplexed. What did Mr. Markham mean by his course of action? Had he really intended to dupe me, or was there some mistake?