Understanding what was in his mind, 'Lish Davis added in a kindly tone:
"Don't take it to heart, Amateur, for we'll do all that is possible, and I'm allowing it'll all come out straight in the end. It wouldn't be well if he pulled through too easy."
"If only he don't have to go to jail for two or three years!" Seth cried, and then fearing he might say that which would sound like a complaint, he took his leave after promising to report next evening.
"Well, I begun to think you was goin' to stop there all night," Master Roberts cried irritably when his partner appeared. "Seemed like you was havin' a mighty good time along at the first of it."
"That was when I was tellin' how I'd been gettin' on up at headquarters. Say, Jip will have to be tried in court!"
"What? Can't Ninety-four's men stop it?" Dan cried in surprise, for he had believed the firemen could do whatsoever they would, and Seth repeated all that 'Lish Davis had said, adding in conclusion:
"You'd better try to see him again, an' tell the poor fellow how things stand."
"He'll take it mighty hard."
"I'm 'fraid so; but there's nothin' else that can be done. Is Bill over to the room?"
"He allowed he'd have to stop down-town quite a spell to-night, an' I agreed to see him there after I'd met you. Why not take a spin as far as the post-office?"