"That's the idee," replied the ferryman, who thought sure that he was going to get it now. "That's what I'm here for. You have got the burglars in your own hands now, and I don't reckon you would mind passing it over, would you?"
"I?" exclaimed the sheriff. "I haven't got it. I have never had a cent of it in my possession."
"Then who's going to give it to me?" demanded Silas, who wondered if the officer was going to cheat him out of his money.
"Well, you see, Silas," said the sheriff, "the reward is conditioned upon the arrest and conviction of the burglars. They have been arrested, and their conviction is only a matter of time; but you can't get your money until they are sentenced."
"And how long will that be?"
"The court will sit again in about six weeks. As some of the money was offered by the county, and the rest by the men who lost the jewelry and things that were found in that valise, you will get your reward from different parties, unless they hand it over to me to be paid to you in a lump."
"That's the way I want it," said Silas, who was very much disappointed. "I'm going into business."
"What sort of business?" inquired Mr. Warren.
"I am going to keep a boat-house down to the Beach."