"I shall find it very useful, sir; and I thank you sincerely. May I ask if you do not deal in wheat?"
"That is a part of my business."
"I shall have about fourteen hundred bushels to dispose of if I recover my boat."
"I will give you two dollars and a quarter a bushel, if it is in good condition."
"I accept, sir," answered Bob, promptly. "Now, may I ask your advice as to how to proceed to regain possession of the boat?"
"When do you expect it to arrive?" asked the merchant.
"Probably not till to-morrow, but I can't guess at what part of the day. It depends on how well the thieves succeed in managing the boat."
"I will order my carriage and drive round with you to the Central Police Office. The police will take proper measures to recover the boat and arrest the rascals who robbed you of it."
"Won't it be too much trouble, sir?"
"I shall not count it a trouble, for I shall at the same time be punishing the men who abducted my dear Maud. They will be tried for both offenses, and will probably get a long term of imprisonment."