“He’s one of ’em,” broke in the first officer, whose wrath could not be appeased; “he’s been their dummy; he was on the lookout to give ’em warning; run him in, too.”
Despite Ben Mayberry’s protests, he was forced to go with the prisoners; but on the way to the lock-up he was recognized by several officers, including the chief, who ordered his release, Ben promising to appear in the morning at the hearing.
On the morrow several important facts came to light. The two individuals who had been so roughly used were honest countrymen, whose references to the robbery of the bank were purely in jest—such a project as burglary never entering their thoughts.
The policeman who assailed them made a humble apology, and they agreed to let the matter drop.
Another fact that was established was that the policemen of Damietta were very much like those of other cities.
The third truth was, that no burglary took place on Thursday night or Friday morning, and everything was as quiet as the surface of a summer mill-pond, with the single exception of the incident just narrated.