Mr. Winthrop, however, insisted on their going
in the car. Truth to tell, both youngsters had used their feet
so much that day that they did not object to being taken home.
"I hope you will find your man, sir, and alive," Dick called,
as he and Dave were leaving.
"I believe that we shall," replied Mr. Winthrop. "Yet it will
be by beginning the search from this point."
The chauffeur drove them home in good time, for he was under orders
to report back to Mr. Winthrop as speedily as possible.
Neither Dick nor Dave had any trouble in getting a late supper
served at home.
"You've brought home a good tale, as you often do, to pay your
mother for her extra trouble," laughed Mr. Prescott.
"I hope that poor, half-witted fellow didn't destroy himself in
his own fire," murmured Dick, as he fell to at the meal.
By morning the people of Gridley knew that the ruins of the abandoned
water-works cottage had been explored, and that the remains of
Amos Garwood had not been found there.
But an editorial in the "Blade" suggested that the cottage was
not very likely to have taken fire unless the blaze had been started
by Garwood. While the latter was declared not to be dangerous,
the "Blade" hinted that his malady might suddenly have taken a
dangerous turn.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44