"Better get dried off first. You can come to my house if you wish. It is not far off."
"Thank you, Mr. Ball."
Randy's telegram was a short one. It ran as follows:
"Fell overboard. Am safe at Catskill. Join boat to-morrow."
The telegram sent, our hero went with Mr. Ball to the latter's house. Here he was loaned some dry clothing and Mrs. Ball treated him to a late but satisfying supper. After the meal was over, and as it was now clear, he decided to take a walk around the town before retiring. Had he known of what that walk was to reveal he would have been very much surprised.
CHAPTER XXXI
NEWS OF IMPORTANCE
As was natural, our hero drifted down to the long steamboat landing. While he was standing around, he saw a ferryboat coming across the river, filled with passengers from the railroad station on the opposite shore.
As the passengers alighted he recognized Amos Bangs in the crowd. The rich manufacturer looked around anxiously, and presently caught sight of Mrs. Bangs, who had come to meet him in a carriage. Randy slipped out of sight.