"Yes; he wants to see you."
"What does he want to see me for?" asked Rufus, inclined to be suspicious.
"There's something he's got of yours that he wants to return," said Humpy, in a low voice, looking around cautiously.
Rufus was more and more astonished. Was it possible that Martin's conscience troubled him, and that he wanted to make restitution? He could hardly believe this, knowing what he did of his step-father. Martin was about the last man he would have suspected of being troubled in any such way.
"Yes, he has got something of mine," he said aloud. "Does he want to return it?"
"Yes, he's sorry he took it. He's afraid you'll set the copps on him."
"So he's frightened," thought Rufus. This seemed to throw light on the new phase of affairs. He had never regarded his step-father as very brave, and now concluded that he was alarmed about the consequences of the theft.
"If he'll return what he took, all right," said Rufus, venturing to make this promise on his own responsibility; "he shan't be touched. Where is he?"
"Not far off," said Humpy.
"Tell him to bring it to me, and I'll give my word not to have him arrested."