ntance had a great many questions to ask concerning his
position at headquarters.

Not until nearly the hour set for the witnesses to be at court did Seth
find an opportunity of speaking privately with his partner, and then he
repeated what 'Lish Davis had said as to the possible effect their
evidence might have in the case.

"We must be careful to tell the truth, Dan; but there's no need of our
rubbin' it in very bad."

"That'll be all right," Master Roberts replied confidently. "Jest wait
till the judge begins to pump me, an' you'll see how slick I'll make it
for Jip."

"Don't put it on too thick."

"See here, Seth, I reckon I know how to run this thing. Don't you worry
'bout me; but be kind-er thinkin' up what you'll say."

"I don't s'pose we'll have a chance for anything 'cept to answer
questions."

"I'll bet I can sneak in a good word now an' then, never mind how hard
they try to stop me. Say, have you seen Sam Barney?"

"No; is he goin' to the court?"

"'Cordin' to the way he's been swellin' hisself out this mornin' you'd
think he was countin' on runnin' the whole thing. He told some of the
fellers that the trial wouldn't begin if he wasn't there, 'cause he's
the only one who can send Jip up the river. Bill wanted me to go in with
him for usin' the chump so rough he couldn't more'n crawl, an' that
would fix things for Jip; but I was 'fraid it might make talk in the
court so's you'd get the worst of it."

"It's better to let him alone, though I'm awful sorry he's so set on
this detective business, 'cause if it hadn't been for that, Jip never'd
been 'rested."

At this moment Bill Dean joined his friends with the information that
the would-be detective had already started for the court-room, and
proposed that they set out at once.

"I'm goin' to get a seat close to that duffer, an' let him know he'll
get his face into trouble if he tells any more'n is called for. I wonder
why he couldn't be yanked up for lyin' to Joe Carter when he borrowed
that money? If he should have a dose of it in jail, I reckon he wouldn't
be so hot to see Jip sent up."

Dan was uncertain whether a charge might not have been brought against
the would-be detective because of what he had done in Philadelphia, but
dismissed the matter without very much study, on the ground that it was
now too late to render such a course of advantage to the firebug.

Then the three, followed or accompanied by nearly all their
acquaintances, went