For a moment there was a painful pause and the Rover boys looked at each other and at Captain Putnam in perplexity.
"Does this mean that we must go to jail?" demanded Tom.
"I don't think it will be necessary to hold them," came from Captain
Putnam. "Squire Haggerty, I presume you know who I am."
"Yes, sir, Captain Putnam of Putnam Hall."
"Then you will, of course, let me go on a bail bond for these three pupils of mine."
"If ye care to do it, captain."
"Certainly. I am convinced that they are innocent. Why, it is preposterous to think that they would break into such a shop and rob it of a hundred and sixty dollars' worth of goods. They are rich young gentlemen, of a high-standing family, and each has all the spending money he needs."
"I see, I see."
"Well, it ain't nuthin' to me what they be, so long as I git my goods back," growled Aaron Fairchild. "I ain't got nuthin' against 'em personally, especially if they are innocent."
"I think you will find it to your advantage to let this whole matter rest for the present," went on Captain Putnam. "If you make a charge against the boys it will hurt both them and my school. I feel sure they will not run away, and I will give you my personal word that they shall appear in court whenever wanted."