Page:The fighting scrub, (IA fightingscrub00barb).pdf/201

This page needs to be proofread.

"Say, fifty altogether? That may do. You might see just what we have got."

"I have three or four dollars," said Clif eagerly.

"With you?"

"No, but—"

"Don't bother. We've probably enough. What do you say, Wattles?"

"Fifty-five, sir, and a bit of change."

"Plenty! All right. You know what to do, Wattles. Bring him back."

"Yes, sir, but if the young gentleman shouldn't care to return?"

"I'd use persuasion, Wattles; any kind."

"Look here," exclaimed Clif, "do you mean you're going to send Wattles?"

"Unless you can suggest some one better," answered Loring. "I'd make certain first of all that he really got off on that six-thirty-four. He might have missed it, although he probably didn't. Perhaps the agent will remember him. After that—well, Danbury's around sixty miles, I believe, and it oughtn't to take you more than an hour and a half at this time of night. It's now seven-nine, so you ought to fetch there by—let's see; allowing for delays in getting started, by nine or a few minutes later. So you'll probably get to Danbury about the same time that he does. That'll allow you about forty-five minutes to make him see sense. Tell him we sent word that if he comes back with you no one will know he ever went off. I'll leave this window here wide open, Wattles, and he ought to be