“We fear that he may have been captured by some of the Fox gang, and be in confinement, or else——”
“What?”
“Killed or wounded,” added the cashier.
“He could not have met John Fox, for I held him in custody.”
“There was the other brother, James, who was at large.”
“James is the tall brother?”
“Yes.”
“Then,” said Luke, “I shall have to hunt him, too. Will you grant me leave of absence?”
“Gladly. We want to recover the bonds, but we care still more for the safety of the boy.”
Indeed Ernest had become popular with the bank officials as well as with the residents of Emmonsville. The cashier spoke truly when he said that he cared more for the boy’s safety than for the recovery of the bonds.