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At that hour the sum of money which Mason had withdrawn from the bank was transferred to the party for whom it was intended, and Luke's mission was at an end. He received from the farmer the stipulated five dollars and started on his return to Emmonsville, Ezekiel Mason driving him the greater part of the way.
"The bank is closed, young man," said the bank officer. "I know it, but I have a package of bonds from the bank in Emmonsville. I hope you will take them from me, for I don't want the responsibility of them any longer." "Oh, you are the young messenger. We had advice that you would be here yesterday." "So I should have been, but for my capture by one of the Fox brothers."
"James is the tall brother?" "Yes." "Then," said Luke, "I shall have to hunt him, too. Will you grant me leave of absence?" "Gladly. We want to recover the bonds, but we care still more for the safety of the boy." Indeed, Ernest had become popular with the bank officials, as well as with the residents of Emmonsville.
"Where were you going in Lee's Falls?" he asked. Ernest felt that it would be imprudent to mention that his destination was the bank, so he answered guardedly, "I am going to see the town. I may stop over night." "At the hotel?" "Yes." "It is not much of a place to see," said the driver, watching his companion curiously. "It is larger than Emmonsville, isn't it?" "Yes.
His new acquaintance eyed him scrutinizingly, as if to see whether he knew more than he was willing to reveal. "So there is a cave underneath?" he said inquiringly. "Yes." "Have you any idea what it is used for?" "I don't think it is used at all. The room below seems empty." The man regarded him fixedly. "When did you leave Emmonsville?" he asked abruptly.
Ran hotel at Larren '95 to '97; sheriff's sale '97; worked Bowen Farm '97 to 1912; bought Eagle Hotel, Vesper, after death of William Bowen, 1900. Traded Eagle Hotel for Griffin Farm, 1912; sold Griffin Farm, 1914; clerk Simon's hardware store, Emmonsville, Pennsylvania.
At last, however, he heard the rumble of wheels, and turning round to see whether there was room in the vehicle, he saw that it was a buggy driven by a tall, thin man with dark hair, swarthy face, and a long, aquiline nose. The driver eyed Ernest sharply and brought the buggy to a standstill. "Where are you going, boy?" he asked. "To Lee's Falls." "Where have you come from?" "From Emmonsville."
You are John Fox, are you not?" "Exactly. I suppose my brother heard that I was in trouble." "Yes." "By the way, the Quaker detective through whom I got into difficulty you doubtless know?" "I do." "I was put into jail at Crampton, but I managed to effect my escape. Are you connected in any way with the Emmonsville bank?" "Yes." "In what way?" "As bank messenger."
Ernest looked at him in perplexity. "Is there no way of getting more money?" he asked. "If we were in California now, and at the mines, I might make shift to fill my purse; but there are no mines hereabouts." "Let us keep on, and something may turn up." When this conversation took place they were approaching Emmonsville, a thriving town in Nebraska.
"Can you tell me in what direction I must go to reach Lee's Falls?" he asked. The stranger paused and examined him sharply. "So you want to go to Lee's Falls?" he said. "Yes, sir." "Where do you come from?" "From Emmonsville." "Direct?" "No." "I saw you just now coming out of some opening in the earth." This alarmed Ernest. He felt that he might be called upon to explain where he had been.
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