Dutton, the chief of police, having relieved himself of responsibility by turning his prisoners over to the sheriff, proceeded at once to the bank, where the President, Mr. Eldridge, was anxiously awaiting him. Phil and Tom at the chief’s invitation had come with him, and as they mounted the steps of the bank, Dick too came hurrying up.
Together they went into the president’s room, where he was engaged in earnest discussion with some of the directors of the bank. They were cordially received, and Dutton plunged at once into the story of the pursuit and capture of the thieves. He gave full credit to the Radio Boys for the part they had taken and they were warmly thanked by Mr. Eldridge and his associates for their coolness and courage.
Then Dutton turned over the money that had been recovered, and all watched eagerly as the president counted it carefully.
“Ten thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars,” he announced finally.
“I hope,” ventured Dutton, “that that’s about all that the thieves got away with, Mr. Eldridge.”
“I wish it were,” replied the president soberly, “but as a matter of fact their loot amounted to fifty thousand dollars!”
A gasp of astonishment ran round the room.
CHAPTER IV
Wonders of Radio
“What?” cried Phil in dismay. “Fifty thousand dollars? Are you sure, Mr. Eldridge?”
“Only too sure,” the latter replied. “You see it is pay day for the mills with their thousands of operatives, and the money for the payrolls was being made up, so that the money was out of the vaults and within full sight and reach of the robber. The band couldn’t have selected a moment that would have been more favorable for them. In fact, it was so well timed that I am inclined to think that the scoundrels must have had some confederate in the town who was familiar with the customs and working of the bank.”