CHAPTER XXIV
THE PROOF OF THE NEGATIVE
"Come in, Mr. Sheriff. Don't be bashful," said Thaddeus Lasher, with a grimace of pain.
"Thank you, Lasher. Glad to see you so cheerful." And Mr. Dodd walked in.
"Oh, I've become reconciled to my fate, that's all. This boy has relieved my fear that I had a broken leg; and just now, of all times, that would have been a sure-enough calamity. He's eased the pain some, too, which is another blessing," returned the escaped convict.
The sheriff looked keenly at him.
"I admire your grit, anyway, and I'm sorry that duty compels me to disturb your dream of freedom," he observed.
"That's all right, Mr. Sheriff. I'm not asking favors of any man—now!" replied the other.
Frank was amazed. He thought that if ever a poor fellow had cause for mourning his hard luck, Thaddeus Lasher was the one. He had escaped from prison, and eluded the authorities for nearly three months, only to have this miserable fall, that in a measure was responsible for his being retaken.