"It's only fair," he thought, "that Jane should pay for the team, if I give my time."
So Mr. Huxter sped along the road at a rapid rate. He had taken the right road by chance, and having met a boy who had met John and described his appearance accurately, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he was on the track of the fugitive.
Arriving at the tavern, it occurred to him that John might have stopped to rest, if nothing more. He accordingly descended hastily from the carriage, and accosted the landlord, whom he knew slightly.
"Good-morning, Mr. Jones."
"Good-morning, Mr. Huxter. Going to stop with us?"
"I can't stop now. Have you seen anything of a boy of about fifteen, rather stout built, who must have passed this way lately?"
"Blue suit?" interrogated the landlord.
"Yes; have you seen him?"
"You don't mean to say you're after him?"