With this slight reprimand he was discharged from custody, and Tim sent to jail.
When the partners were in the street once more Joe found it almost impossible to keep his joy within bounds. He acted in the most extravagant manner until Fred reminded him that the people might think he was intoxicated.
"We'll telegraph to Bill, anyhow," he cried, and straightway the following message was sent:
"William Thomas, Farley's, Pa.:
"Skip Miller has fixed everything. Sam is free. Hurrah for Skip.
Joe."
"There," he said, after writing the telegram, a task of no mean magnitude for him, "that puts the credit jest where it belongs. I ain't sayin' the lawyer didn't do his share; but he'd been snowed under if Tim hadn't been brought in the nick of time."
Skip was radiant with delight, as he had every reason to be, since now he felt certain his past misdeeds were atoned for, and the partners repeated over and over again that they owed him a debt which could never be repaid.
Mr. Hunter insisted that the owners of the mine should remain in Blacktown until he learned whether sufficient money could be raised with which to defend the suit brought against them; but Joe was bent on going to the depot for the purpose of witnessing Mr. Wright's departure.
"I want to see how he an' and his precious cashier look after failin' in convictin' an innocent boy of stealin' what never oughter been put in his charge."