"I'll believe what an army officer says, even in praise of his best friends," smiled Mr. Prenter.
Foreman Johnson, who had been over in town, now came along. He halted some distance away, beckoning to Reade.
"Mr. Reade," murmured the foreman, in an undertone, "over in Blixton I just heard some news that I thought would interest you. Evarts is out on bail."
"He furnished a five thousand surety?" queried Tom.
"Yes, sir, and who do you suppose went on his bond?"
"I can't imagine who the idiot is."
"The man who signed Evarts's bond," continued Foreman Johnson solemnly, "was Mr. Bascomb, president of this company!"
"Whew!" muttered Tom aghast. "And that's all I've got to say on this subject."
"I thought you'd like to know the news," remarked Johnson, "and so I came to tell you."
"Please accept my thanks," Tom answered. Then, as the foreman passed along, Reade went back to his friends.