"I did absolutely nothing," cried Dr. Karley. "I am willing to aid you all I can. But I am innocent. I received no pay for giving the unfortunate young man some medicine to strengthen him, and my horse and carriage were taken without my knowledge."
A long and bitter war of words followed, but in the end the doctor was left to himself.
"We'll make no charge against him yet," said Tom to the policeman. "But I wish you would keep an eye on the institution—in case that rascal puts in an appearance again."
"I will," returned the officer.
A little while later Sam and Tom set out to rejoin Luke Peterson. When they gained the dock they saw nobody.
"He ought to be somewhere about," said the younger Rover.
They tramped about from place to place for fully an hour.
Presently they came close to where the Swallow lay. Had they but known it, the Peacock, with poor Dick on board, lay but three blocks further away.
"My gracious!" cried Sam suddenly.
He had seen a form stretched motionless across some lumber lying near.