He did not think it necessary to put Forbes under “close restraint,” for the latter was thoroughly cowed, and quite as willing to make a clean breast of the whole matter as Benson was.
All these things, which we have been so long in describing, occupied but a very short time in taking place—probably not over ten minutes.
The spectators had had but little to say, because their astonishment held them speechless. They had barely time to recover from the surprise occasioned by one startling disclosure before they were called upon to be surprised at something else.
They were all satisfied on one point, and that was that the events of the preceding night had been the means of unearthing the thieves of whom they had so long stood in fear.
But, like Bob Howard, they could not for the life of them see why boys in their circumstances, who had indulgent parents, comfortable homes and everything in the way of benefits and amusements that reasonable boys ought to ask for, could become criminals.
When the sheriff came back, accompanied by Benson, who was crying as though he had been whipped, they stared at him very hard, in the hope of seeing something in the officer’s face that would enlighten them on this point; but they were disappointed.
They could only judge of the result of his long interview with Benson by his actions. Without saying a word, he tied the bundles which Uncle Ruben had dug out of the ground, fastened them to the horn of his saddle and mounted his horse.
When he was ready to start, he said, addressing himself to George and his friends:
“Now, boys, I am going back to the village.”
“Do you want us to go with you?” asked Dick.