“Yes, he looks it.”
“Well, he's gone, so he won't trouble us.”
This was a consoling thought to Walter. He carried a hundred dollars in his pocket, and he had worked too hard for it to feel reconciled to its loss. The stranger, judging from his appearance, was quite capable of relieving him of it; but now he had ridden away, doubtless on business of his own, and the chances were that they would never meet again.
About eight o'clock Professor Robinson's team was brought round to the door, and he and Walter clambered upon the seat and were under way.
“Were you ever robbed, professor?” asked Walter.
The professor smiled.
“Yes,” he said.
“By a highwayman?”
“No, by my assistant, a young man who occupied your place. He had been with me four weeks, and I reposed a good deal of confidence in him, as I do in you.”
“I hope you won't repent your confidence in me, professor.”