CHAPTER XXIX
“The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”
Detective Stockham Calvert was quick to make deductions and as quick in adapting himself to circumstances. He had said he did not expect to have the help of Orestes Noxon—as we must continue to call him—in capturing the two criminals, but ten minutes later he made a radical change of plans. He meant to make use of the young man, in his pursuit of the post office robbers.
“We must leave here at once,” he announced in his crisp manner. “Searching parties are out and some of them are likely to call here at any time. Since Noxon worked with his face masked, except when the slip occurred last night, it is not likely, he would be recognized by any of those who are looking for him. But there is a risk which we must avoid.”
Mrs. McCaffry made strong objection to their leaving before the dinner hour, but the officer assured her it could not be helped. He and Noxon compelled her to accept liberal tips, but she refused to take the last remaining quarter of Mike.
“The same would bring me bad luck,” she said, with a shake of her head.
“How could it do that whin it brought me the bist of luck, being I came to your door?” asked the youth, trying to press it upon her; but she would not consent.
“Ah,” he said, “it’s mesilf that’s of no more account than a naught wid no circle round it.”
Instead of following the path that led to the highway and so on to Beartown, Calvert turned into the woods through which his companions had made their way to the humble but hospitable home.
“We’ll keep clear of the village,” he explained, “for every one there is in a fever of excitement, and although I can do my part in the way of prevarication, I don’t wish to be driven to the limit, when it might not, after all, avert trouble.”