"This beats anything I ever heard of," said he. "Who would have imagined that your love of mischief was destined to bring rogues to justice, clear an honest man's reputation, and make you rich into the bargain? Joseph, I am sorry you lost your gun; but you shall not go hungry because they carried off your provisions."
"The gun wasn't worth much," was Joe's reply, "and perhaps I haven't lost it yet. I shall live in hopes of having it returned to me when those men are arrested. Do you really think I had better stop at home?"
"Of nights? Yes, I do."
"I am not at all afraid," began Joe.
"I haven't so much as hinted that you were," interrupted his employer, "but I can't see the use of your putting yourself in the way of danger for nothing. If there was any real need that you should stay up there, the case would be different. My object, and Hallet's, in building those cabins, was to provide comfortable quarters for our wardens, so that they would not have to wade through the deep snow in going to and from their work. If you will spend the day in walking around the woods and looking out for market-shooters, it is all I shall ask of you, until those robbers have been shut up. Even after that you may have trouble, for you have got Brierly down on you."
"I don't see why Brierly should be down on him," said Bob. "By turning him back, Joe helped him get twenty-five dollars for nothing."
"I am well enough acquainted with him to know that he will never forgive Joe for threatening to report him," said Mr. Warren. "The first good chance he gets, he will be even with him for that."
While they were talking in this way, Tom Hallet came bounding up the steps, and a few minutes later the canopy top was driven up to the door.
The boys got in, in obedience to a sign from Mr. Warren; but one of them, at least would have objected, if he had thought that he could gain anything by it.