He was especially glad to learn that the missing money had been returned. His own theory was that some error had been made, but other events had followed so fast one upon the other that he had recently made little effort to solve the mystery.
That it should now be cleared up so satisfactorily, with all blame removed from Fred, was gratifying to him in the extreme, for he was a true and sincere friend of our young hero.
Mr. Simmons' surprise at seeing officer Coombs on such an errand can hardly be imagined. Of course he had to give himself up and go with the sheriff—a prisoner charged with a grave offense.
A hearing in his case was arranged for the following day to come before Judge Plummer.
Mr. Simmons gave bonds for his appearance at the trial, and devoted the rest of the day to preparing his defense with his lawyer. Wondering why he had been arrested, and going over in his own mind every possible cause that could lead to it, he thought of the statement which Tim and Matthew had signed about the assault. He took his pocketbook from his coat, and looked among his papers for it.
It was not there. He was alarmed to find it missing. He asked his wife about it, but she knew nothing of it.
"I must have lost it somewhere," he admitted to himself with a shudder. "Fool that I was for doing wrong. I believe it has led to my arrest, but why I cannot understand."
When Matthew learned that Jacob Simmons had commenced work on the flockers with Fred he was alarmed. He talked the matter over with Tim. Both felt uneasy and unhappy, but they could see no way to help the case, so left it to fate, which speedily did its work.
Revenge to Matthew was a sad failure—had almost ruined him. Every effort he had made had recoiled upon him so unexpectedly and persistently that now he was beset on all sides with danger of exposure and punishment.
Fred—his rival—had stood up manfully under fire without flinching. He had won at every point and was now fast regaining his old position.