Here it was only necessary to state what had happened in order to find plenty of volunteers for the task of bringing Bill home, and as the party set out Mrs. Byram followed a short distance by Joe's side, in order to say:
"I've seen Mr. Wright, and he evidently believes both Sam and Fred are guilty."
"Won't he let up till we can run down them fellers what Bill was follerin'?"
"He says to me, as he did to you, that the law must take its course, and will not even do anything to prevent Bill's arrest."
"We're goin' to bring the poor feller home, an' this company what think they own Farley's an' every soul in it had better let him alone."
"Take him to my house, where he can have more care than at a boarding-place."
"All right, an' thank ye, ma'am."
"But what about Fred? Where is he?"
"There's no call to worry because of him. As soon as Bill is off my hands I'll hunt the boy up, an' p'rhaps the two of us will bring home the real thieves."
The widow could go no farther, and Joe took his place at the head of the party, walking at his best pace.