It was evident the sergeant was interested; but whether because of Josiah’s unfortunate position, or the earnestness of the boy before him, it would have been difficult to say.
At all events, instead of dismissing the young pleader, as probably would have been done under other circumstances, he condescended to argue with him.
“Do you think when an arrest has been made that we can let the prisoner go, or keep him here, just as we please?”
“What’s to hinder?”
“The station-house is only intended for the reception of prisoners during the night, until they can be taken to court; and when a person is committed, it is necessary for us to show him up in the morning, or get ourselves into trouble.”
“But what’s the sense of keepin’ Josiah when he oughter go home?”
“Because we must have a prisoner to answer to his name.”
“Then we can fix that easy enough,” and Bob looked decidedly relieved. “You let him go, an’ I’ll go back in his place. When I come inter court termorrer mornin’, it’ll take more’n one cop to find out my name ain’t Josiah Shindle.”
“In other words, you want me to assist in the escape of a prisoner?”
“No, I don’t. Jest make a swap, that’s all. What’s the sense of sendin’ a boy like him down to the Island? He’s so green he couldn’t do anything; but they’d get a pile of work outer me, an’ it would be better all ’round. Besides, if one ain’t enough, the whole of us’ll go in, won’t we, fellers?”