Glancing over the man's shoulder Steve's eyes caught a few words that caused him to lean forward with renewed interest. Then he sat back, possessing himself in patience until the message should have been finished.
"That's strange," said the operator, laying down his head piece.
"What is it?" questioned Bob.
"Nothing much. It is just a message I picked up about some fellow that the police want."
"Well, it isn't I, that's sure," said Jarvis with a confident laugh.
"It is—but here, read it for yourself."
Steve read the message out loud.
"'Wanted: One, Gus Collins, for complicity in a post-office robbery at Elgin on the night of June third. Collins has been a sailor and is said to be on one of the ships on the lakes. About five feet ten in height, gray eyes, blonde hair. Has a peculiar stoop to his shoulders, and a habit of peering up suspiciously, but not meeting the eyes of the person he is talking to. Five hundred dollars reward offered for his capture by the post-office department.'"
"I'd like to make that five hundred," laughed Jarvis.
Steve did not reply at once. His face was serious. He was thinking.