The turnkey appeared and unlocked the door. As Chase passed out, Andy observed that someone passed into the cell room. It was Seth Talbot.
“I want a little talk with you, Andy Nelson,” spoke the garage owner, “and it will pay you to listen to what I have to say.”
CHAPTER XVI—BAIL WANTED
The garage owner moved a few feet away from the grated door of the cell room and sat down on a bench. He beckoned to Andy.
“No, I’ll stand up,” said our hero.
“All right, I won’t be long. Short and sweet is my motto. To begin with, Andy Nelson, I’ve been a second father to you.”
“I never knew it,” observed the boy.
“Don’t get saucy,” replied Talbot. “It don’t show the right spirit. I gave you a job when you didn’t have any, and took on myself a big responsibility—agreeing to look after you like a regular apprentice. What is the result? Ingratitude.”
Andy was silent, but he looked at Talbot, marveling that the man, mean as he was, could imagine that he meant what he said.
“You’ve brought me lots of trouble,” pursued Talbot in an aggrieved tone. “The worst of all is that it’s led to my son running away from home.”