The United States officers looked at each other queerly at this information.
“I think,” pursued young Captain Halstead, “that the Alvarez crew mean to get their goods away to-night or to-morrow night.”
“This matter will have to have quick looking into,” said Mr. Lawrence, hastily. “But one thing we came here to learn is whether you intend to prosecute any of that crowd under the state law?”
“If you can get the Alvarez crowd under the federal law,” said Lawyer Crane, quickly, “I think you will be able to push the prisoners harder. For one thing, we might be hampered by the fact that Alvarez and his associates didn’t actually steal young Dunstan, but lured him away. The same thing, perhaps, but it might make a difference with a jury. What do you say, Mr. Dunstan? Shall we forego prosecution in favor of giving the national Government the best chance at the offenders?”
“Why, after thinking it over a bit,” rejoined Horace Dunstan, “I am inclined to feel that I have won out over the rascals, and I can afford to let it go by by laughing at them.”
“Good,” nodded Inspector Lawrence. “Then, Mr. Dunstan, there are still hundreds of people outside the hotel, talking over the whole wonderful story. Why don’t you go out, the local officers and your lawyer with you? The crowd will be sure to yell for a speech. Make them a little one, and in it state that you consider the joke is on your enemies. Add that you have therefore forgiven that other crowd, and that you will show it by attempting no prosecution.”
“I’ll do that if it will help you,” replied Mr. Dunstan, after looking at his lawyer, who nodded.
“Dad, after this, if you send me notes,” said Ted, “you’ll have to have a private way of signing your name, so I’ll know the note really comes from you.”
Warren had been explaining the story of the mystery, aside, to Inspector Joyce, who now broke in:
“Alvarez, as you may not know, was formerly a Mexican. A series of forgeries, committed by him and detected, forced him to flee to Honduras. So it is easy to understand how the note to young Dunstan was forged.”