“I reckon p’raps you-all had better explain this to me,” requested the policeman, who gave his name as Randolph.
Henry Tremaine told the story quickly.
“Why, sir,” replied Officer Randolph, “if you, Mr. Tremaine, refuse to make any complaint, I don’t see that I can do a thing.”
“But a crime has been committed,” insisted Halstead.
“It was committed outside this township, then,” responded Randolph. “And, since Mr. Tremaine refuses to press the matter, I might lay myself liable if I were to search anyone.”
“Why do you object, Mr. Tremaine?” appealed Tom, turning to the charter-man.
“Because,” replied that gentleman, “it’s all a puzzle to me, as it must be to the rest of us. I am satisfied that, somehow, the whole matter will be cleared up, presently, without recourse to the law.”
“But I want my boat and ourselves cleared,” protested the young skipper, looking more than ever worried.
“You and your boat will be cleared—somehow—not long from now,” replied Henry Tremaine, shortly. “I decline to be mixed up in any legal proceedings.”