"Hear'n anything uv them varmints what slipped their moorings on the train?" he asked.
"We heard that they had gone West," rejoined Merritt, "but to just what part I don't know."
"That thar Sam Reddin' boy clar'd himself uv all suspicion, did he?" went on the old man.
"Yes, after he had admitted that Jack Curtiss and Bill Bender and himself stole our uniforms and robbed you—"
"Consarn him," interrupted the captain.
"You needn't grumble, his father paid you back all that was taken," observed Merritt.
"That don't lessen the crime," grunted the captain, "heave ahead with yer yarn, my boy; yer was sayin' that that Reddin' boy admitted everythin'."
"Well," continued Rob, "in consideration of his confession, it was agreed not to prosecute him and he seems to be a reformed character. He absolutely denied, though, having had anything to do with the kidnapping of Joe Digby here, and I believe he is telling the truth."
"The truth ain't in any uv them fellers, that's my belief," snorted the captain, "and if ever I get my hands on that thar Jack Curtiss or Bill Bender I'll lay onto 'em with a rope's end."
"Oh, we'll never see them again," laughed Rob.