“Great Caesar!” muttered the sleuth, “I thought that from the first, but the old fool would not listen to me.”
“Mr. Sharkey,” said Dick, “you and I have no quarrel. What Pierre says is true—I have a sworn affidavit in my pocket, fixing the responsibility for that unhappy affair where it belongs.”
“I believe you, Mr. Willoughby,” replied the sleuth. “I’m glad you are innocent, but I was only doing my duty in trying to arrest the man charged with the crime.”
“I understand all that. I bear you no ill will.”
“And I’d shake hands if it were not for these damned bracelets,” continued Sharkey.
“Pierre, there is no need of handcuffs,” said Dick, turning to the Frenchman. “Set him free. We will go peaceably home together.”
“No, no,” replied Pierre, determinedly. “Leach Sharkey, he is one giant in strength. He will go home as he is. Besides, I have trown ze key away.” And he laughed aloud.
Sharkey nodded in helpless admission of his sorry plight.
“Too bad,” murmured Dick.
“And now,” continued Pierre, “zere is no time to be lost. We will help zis man onto your pony, and you will ride my pony and hold ze leading rein.”