"Do you think you will be safe now?" asked Tom as they were about to leave him.
"Of course I will," replied Pepper, with a laugh; "why, I am almost home."
"Well, then, good night," they called, and with three cheers for Pepper, the messenger of the Uncas, the Highpoint boys turned about and went on their way home.
Tired, but happy that he had succeeded in delivering the message, Pepper hurried on home. He was almost there when he was accosted by a schoolmate and was told that his brother Jack and others had been seen going into Judge Taylor's office. It was but a step farther, so thither he directed his course.
CHAPTER XVIII
IN THE JUDGE'S OFFICE
Colonel Snow and the greatly excited boys accompanied the officer and his charge to the judge's office.
"Good evening, Colonel; good evening, boys," said the judge, greeting them pleasantly when they came in under the escort of the officer. "I am glad to see you. Is this an official visit?"
"Good evening, Judge," replied Rand. "I suppose it must be. The officer said I was under arrest."
"Gracious, no! Not at all," said the judge. "That was a blunder, indeed. I merely told him I wanted to see you. I wanted to see if you could throw any light on the robbing of my office."