"Yes. Have you seen anything of Bob?"
"Not since dinner," was Joe's answer. "What's the matter with him?"
"We hope there isn't anything the matter with him," shouted Tom; "but we begin to think— Say, Joe, come over, and bring a lantern. I have something to show you."
"I don't know how he's going to get over, unless he is able to manage the flat all by himself," said Dan, in an undertone. "I won't help him, I bet you."
Silas was about to say the same, but his curiosity, of which he had considerably more than two men's share, got the better of him.
"What do you reckon he wants to show you?" said he, addressing himself to Joe; "and what's become of Bob?"
"I am sure I can't tell," answered Joe. "But if you will help me to take the flat over, we will find out all about it. I am sure you will hear something worth listening to if you will lend a hand."
"All right; I'm there," said Silas, jumping up with alacrity.
"But I ain't," said Dan, doggedly.
"Who said anything to you?" demanded his father, almost fiercely. "Set where you are if you feel like it. Me and Joe can get along without none of your help; and furder'n that," he added, in a lower tone, as Joe ran to the house to bring a candle and some matches—there being no such thing as a lantern in the ferryman's humble abode—"me and Joe will go snucks on his share of the reward, and you shan't see a cent of it. So there, now!"