"I don't think the officers will catch them, Matt," said Townsend.
"The trail is hot and Whistler and Bangs will have to travel on foot."
"Even at that, Whistler knows that part of the country too well. Jurgens, I am sure, is the only member of the gang who will ever be brought to book. But I am satisfied. He is the most culpable, and Whistler and Bangs were only tools."
"What do you think about the way I let Dashington go, Mr. Townsend?" asked Matt, anxiously.
"Whatever you do, my lad, is all right so far as I am concerned. On the face of it, it would look as though you had done wrong; but you were placed in a position where you could learn what Dashington really was. If, armed with that knowledge, you thought it right to set him free, I don't see why any one should find fault with your judgment."
Matt was glad to have this approval. He felt in his own heart he had done right, but he wanted to know how others felt about it.
"You'd better take a little rest now, cap'n," said Cassidy. "You've been under a good deal of a strain to-night, and the doctor said you——"
"The strain, as you call it, Cassidy," interrupted Townsend, with a laugh, "has done me good. Don't go, Matt," he added, seeing that Matt and his friends were reaching for their hats, "I'm not quite through with you yet."
"I'll drop in and see you to-morrow," said Matt. "I guess you've talked enough for to-night."