On the following morning the captain of the night boat was seen, and he emphatically denied that he had had any such passengers as Dock Brady and Gaston. He had had only seven men on board, and all of these had been known to him.
"I guess Ralph Nelson tells the truth," said Jack Rodman. "Those men did the job, and now the old Harry only knows where they have gone to."
"But the boy?" said Squire Paget. "Who was the boy that helped them if it wasn't Ralph Nelson?"
"I give it up, squire," said the constable; and so did many others.
There being nothing else to do, Ralph went back to his work of distributing circulars for Mr. Dunham. He spent three days at this, and was then called upon to stand an investigation before the United States postal authorities.
This investigation lasted one whole day, and every one who was interested in the case was present.
Ralph answered all questions clearly and truthfully, and told all he knew concerning Dock Brady.
Whether the Government detectives found any more clews at the post office was not made public, but the next day Ralph was informed that his bail was withdrawn, and that he was absolutely free.
The reader can well imagine his joy, and also the joy of his mother, who shed tears when the news was brought to her.
"Thank Heaven for it, Ralph!" she said, as she kissed him. "Oh, what a relief now it is all over."