All this time Bess said nothing. While Jim was away, she had worried much over her brother's freak, but now that the doctor had returned she was satisfied that all would be well. Herrick exercised over Bess, the same influence he did over most people he came into contact with. Stephen and the girls, were both more than ordinarily intelligent, but they deferred to Jim in a most remarkable manner. If any one could manage Sidney, Bess felt that Herrick was the man. Jim was not so certain himself. The boy had never come under his influence, and in his own calm way held his own against everyone.
"What about Frisco?" asked Bess who had followed Herrick down the avenue, "has he really been arrested?"
Dr. Jim nodded. "Santiago betrayed him to some private Inquiry Agents I employed," he said, "a mean shabby piece of work Bess. Joyce put it down to me. I assured him that I had nothing to do with the matter, but he refused to believe me."
"He is so mean himself, that he cannot believe any good of other people," said Bess scornfully, "what is to be done now about Frisco?"
"I am thinking," replied her lover evasively, "when I have come to a conclusion I'll tell you Bess. But I fancy the end is in sight."
"I hope so," sighed the girl. "I am so tired of this anxiety."
"Shortly you will have no more, dear," and Jim took her in his arms to kiss her good-bye, "the night is dark, but the dawn is breaking."
Next morning Dr. Herrick walked over to Beorminster. He left Stephen at home although the Squire wanted to come also. "No," said Jim, "it is best for me to speak to the boy alone, I'll get more out of him." And Stephen recognised that this was the more sensible course.
It was eleven o'clock when Herrick rapped at the door of the Beorminster house. It was opened by Sidney, who looked calm and complacent as usual. "I heard you had come back Dr. Jim," he said.
"Did your prophetic instinct tell you that?" asked Herrick testily.