All over the country people would read that it was he who had tracked down this notorious criminal.
And the police—those brass-buttoned city men who rated themselves so high and looked down on village constables and sheriffs as if they were the dirt beneath their feet—they would be given a lesson they would remember!
They would be pretty sore about it, too, when they found the glory of making this capture going to a small-town deputy.
Never had Elisha rowed as he rowed that day! The dory fairly leaped through the water. Reaching shore, he sprang from it and dragged it up on the sand. Then, trembling with excitement, he set out for home.
Everything must be done in ship-shape fashion. There must be no bungling—no slips that would detract from the dignity of the event. He was almost at his gate when to his consternation he saw Eleazer puffing after him.
"You didn't make much of a stop at The Widder's, I see," jeered he.
"No. Had other business," came crisply from Elisha.
"You don't say! I can't imagine your havin' business important enough to cut short a call on Marcia Howe. Mebbe she didn't urge you to loiter."
"I didn't see Marcia. I come away 'fore she got back," snapped the sheriff.