"When are you going?"
"In the mornin', but don't get your hopes up, for it may all end in smoke."
Regardless of this warning Fred did grow excited, and before Bill took his departure he felt quite confident that the thief would soon be discovered.
His spirits fell considerably next morning when Joe returned from New York, having come home on the night train.
"It's no use," he said sadly, as he entered Mrs. Byram's home just as Fred and Bill were making ready to set out for Blacktown.
"Won't Mr. Wright do anything to help Sam?"
"No; he says if the boy is innocent it will be much better to have the matter settled in court, when everybody will know he was wrongfully accused."
"Does he believe him guilty?"
"I'm afraid so, though he didn't say very much."
"When is he coming home?"