"Day after to-morrow. He got a long letter from the cashier yesterday, an' I reckon that made the case look pretty tough agin Sam."
"Well," Bill said, speaking for the first time since the arrival of his mate, "we've spent the money for nothin', but it can't be helped now. We thought it would be best to see him, an' since it's turned out wrong all we can do is to push the other plan for what it's worth."
"What's the other plan?" Joe asked.
Bill explained, and concluded by saying:
"It will be a good idee to have you here to post us on what happens while we're away. Keep your eyes peeled, an' if anything pertic'lar turns up come over."
Then, without waiting to hear whether Joe was pleased with the idea, Bill started, calling sharply to Fred as he left the house:
"It won't do to loaf, lad, if we've got to get Sam out of the scrape with all the officers of the company agin us."
A hurried good-bye to Joe, a kiss from his mother, and Fred followed, bent on proving his friend's innocence in order that the suspicion of crime might also be removed from him.
During the walk to Blacktown hardly a word was spoken, but Bill said when they were within sight of the village:
"We'd best separate here an' to-night I'll meet you over by the hotel."