My friends may think I was putting a very bold face upon the matter, but I candidly admit that I should have been glad to have the charge against me investigated; though I was very certain no steps would be taken in that direction. It is possible Colonel Wimpleton believed that I had been concerned with his hopeful in the blowing up of the canal boat; yet the guilt of his son was settled, and, if convicted, some stupid judge might sentence us both to the penitentiary, for the case would have to go to the shire town of the county, out of the reach of the great man’s influence, for trial.
My father had told me that, at the interview with the colonel in the night, the latter had threatened him with prosecution for abusing his son; but when my father suggested that Waddie had broken into his house in the night time, it was plain enough that the young gentleman was liable to a turn in the state prison. Waddie’s crimes and mistakes continually stood in the way of his taking his revenge. I considered myself fully protected in the same manner.
“Captain Synders, if you are going to arrest me, please to do it at once,” I added, as the lady passengers began to get into the car, and some of the gentlemen came up to the spot where I stood.
“What’s the row?” asked Higgins.
“These gentlemen from the other side talk of taking me up for the mischief to that canal boat. If they do so, Higgins, I want you to go to my father, and tell him about it. If I mistake not, Waddie Wimpleton will be arrested before night for breaking into our house.”
“I’ll do it!” exclaimed the enthusiastic conductor.
“Arrest Waddie!” ejaculated the colonel, gnashing his teeth with rage.
It was mortifying to the great man to find that he had come to the end of his rope; that even his power to annoy and persecute his inferiors had a limit.
“All aboard!” repeated Higgins.
“If you are going to arrest me, Captain Synders, now is your time,” I added.