"I can. I will be willing to make a statement, and swear to it before a magistrate."
"Is not Squire Bates the head of a gang of robbers?"
"I am not prepared to say. I will do what I agreed."
Rawson and Dean conferred together briefly, and decided to release Kirby on the terms proposed. But it was necessary to wait till morning, and they didn't dare to release him. They tied the villain hand and foot, and kept him in this condition till daylight. Then they took him before a magistrate, his statement was written out and sworn to, and they released him.
"I wouldn't have done this," said Kirby, "if Bates had treated me right; but he has been working against me, and I have sworn to get even."
Dean did not trouble himself about Kirby's motives, but he was overjoyed to think that through his means the mystery at Waterford had been solved at last, and his uncle would recover his property.
"Now I shall go home happy," he said to Rawson, "for I shall carry happiness to my good uncle and aunt."