“Then there is nothing to do at present but—”
“Wait,” supplied Mr. Hale, smiling. “Come in to-morrow at this time. I may have some news.”
Ben resolved not to tell Mundon of the new developments in the case until he knew the result of Mr. Hale’s investigation. It was hard work keeping the new hope to himself. Mundon was so depressed that Ben longed to brighten him with the story of the day’s events.
On the afternoon of the following day Ben found himself impatiently awaiting Mr. Hale’s return from court.
When he caught sight of the latter’s beaming face he knew that the result was favorable.
“It’s all right, my boy,” the lawyer exclaimed. “It’s just as we thought. I’ll have you mining again, before you’re many days older.”
“The dates had been changed?” Ben’s voice was a little uncertain.
“Yes—and a bad, bungling job they made of it, too. I’m surprised my clerk didn’t notice it in the first place. But, of course, he wasn’t looking for such sharp work as that. By the way, I told a reporter on the Gazette—you know they keep a man around the City Hall on the lookout for news—who came to see what my expert was about.”
“Then it’ll be in the papers.”
“Well, I told him all he wanted to know. You’re not afraid of the papers, are you?”