“Yes, ye was goin’ t’ tell us, but we find ye hidin’ in a tree, with yer clothes all packed up ready t’ run away,” interposed Constable Walker. “That’s a likely yarn! Ye kin tell that t’ th’ Squire. I believe ye robbed th’ house, an’ I’m goin’ t’ search ye.”
Things began to look bad for poor Dan. It was easy to see how his actions were misconstrued. Even the simple packing up of some of his clothes made it look as if he was going to run away.
At the mention of the word “search” Dan drew back indignantly. He was not used to such treatment. Before he could prevent it the constable had thrust his hand into the boy’s pocket. As he did so he uttered an exclamation. Then he drew forth a silver spoon. It was the one Dan had picked up in the road, near where he had seen the mysterious men.
“What ye got there?” asked Constable Wolff, who wished he had done the searching.
“A silver spoon,” was the answer. “I’ll bet it’s part of the stolen booty. Yep,” he went on, “it’s got an ‘M’ on it, an’ M stands fer Maxwell. Now, Dan Hardy, I guess ye can’t say ye’re innocent! We’ve found part of th’ stolen property on ye. Come along now.”
Poor Dan, who had forgotten all about the spoon, felt his heart sink like lead. He was arrested for theft.
CHAPTER XII
TAKEN TO JAIL
Even the hired man, good friend as he was to Dan, could not but admit that matters looked black for the boy. Dan had been away all night, and, though those at Mr. Savage’s farm knew where he had been sent, they could not give evidence that he had not gone to Dr. Maxwell’s house, as well as to the Randall place. Getting on the wrong road, and being delayed, had operated against Dan.
“Have you got to take me with you?” he asked of the constables.
“’Course we’re goin’ t’ take ye with us,” replied Mr. Walker. “Think we’re goin’ t’ all this trouble catchin’ a robber, an’ then let him go? Not much!”