Certainly, the locating of the thieves was the way to proceed. But how do it?
Could they expect help from the police department?
Were they to carry their news to Chief Berry would that dignitary of the law send out his officers in an effort to find the men, or would they merely uncover and bring in the booty without locating the thieves, thus leaving Frank and Lanky in a rather anomalous position?
The distant lights of the town were coming into sight as the Rocket made the last bend in the river when Lanky finally broke the silence which had fallen upon the lads.
“What shall we do, Frank? Shall we go to the chief or shall we follow this thing out ourselves?”
Frank was not surprised at the question, realizing that Lanky had probably spent the many minutes of silence in going over the same questions which had kept his own mind busy.
“It seems the only thing we can do, Lanky. If we keep this knowledge to ourselves we are apt, in some unforeseen manner, to find ourselves in a tight box.”
“I had thought of that, too,” replied the long lad. “If some one else discovers anything, or if something slips, we’ll be in for trouble.”
“Absolutely!” Frank rehearsed the chance for trouble. “For instance, it is plain as can be that since we know where that silver is, it is our duty to see that, so soon as possible, it is returned to the rightful owner. If, through any fear on our part that we may not get right and just treatment, we permit the thieves to get away with it, we are accessories after the fact, aren’t we?”
The other boys nodded their assent to this statement.