“Remember, you are dumb. That’s all. Good night.”
Jack’s sense of honor was not long in convincing him that he had made a mistake in entering into such a bargain, even with a law-breaker. A dozen times during the days that followed he would have given anything to have been able to wipe out the agreement.
Unhappily this dissatisfaction with himself was to prove but a minor result of the misstep.
Shortly after he had relieved the day operator at the station a week later he was surprised by the appearance of one of the road detectives, and with him a stranger.
“Good evening, Orr,” said the detective in a peculiar tone. “Let me make you acquainted with Sheriff Bates.”
Jack started, and glanced from one to the other. “Is there anything wrong?” he asked.
“Very slightly. Your little game is up, that’s all. Your older partner has given the thing away, and we have just found the watch in your room at the boarding-house,” announced the detective.
“Given the thing away? The watch? Why, what do you mean?” exclaimed Jack in alarm.
“Oh, come! Watts has squealed, and we found the watch hidden, just as he said, in the mattress of your bed up at the house.”
In a flash Jack saw it all. Watts’ offer had been a trap! A mere trap to get him into trouble, probably in revenge!