"Of course," I returned. "We will put a muzzle on friend Dimber very shortly."
I refolded the message and returned it to Gerry, who touched his hat and turned back toward the village.
Going to the door of the cottage, I informed Mr. Harris and the ladies that the new operator had just brought the news we so much wished for, viz.: the coming of Bethel's uncle from New York by that night's express. Then, sauntering back to my old place under the trees, I communicated to Jim the purport of the postscript written by Gerry.
He listened attentively, but with no sign of discomposure visible upon his countenance.
"I've had time to think the matter over," he said, after a moment's silence, "and I think I shall pull through, but," with a waggish twinkle in his eye, "I am puzzled to know why that young man going up the hill should take so much interest in me, or was it Harris?"
"It was not Harris," returning his look with interest. "That young man going up the hill is Gerald Brown, of New York. He's the new night operator, and he will not fail to do his _duty_, in the office and out of it."
"Ah!" ejaculated Jim, turning his eyes once more toward the receding form of Gerry.
I let my own gaze follow his and there, just coming into sight on the brow of the hill, was a party of men.
It consisted of the constable, supported by several able-bodied citizens, and followed, of course, by a promiscuous rabble.
"See the idiots," he said, "coming like mountain bandits. No doubt they look for fierce resistance. Don't let them think you are too much interested in the case."
"I won't," I said, briefly, for the men were hurrying down the hill. "It would not be politic, but I'll have you out of their clutches, Long, without a scratch, sure and soon."
I turned toward the house as I finished the sentence, and Jim arose and went toward the gate; not the man of easy movements and courteous speech who had been my companion for the past twenty-four hours, not Long, the gentleman, but "Long Jim," the loafer, awkward, slouching, uncouth of manner and speech.
As the crowd made a somewhat noisy approach, Jim leaned over the gate and motioned them to silence.
"Gentlemen," he said, seriously, "ye can't be any too still about this place, an' ye'd a' showed better gumption if ye hadn't paid yer respects in a squad, as if ye was comin' to a hangin'. Somehow ye seem mighty fond o' waitin' on Dr. Bethel in a gang."