The separation of Noxon from his former associates would prevent an
unpleasant scene. Kit Woodford and Graff Miller could not fail to see
that Noxon had given them into the hands of the officers. While they were
powerless to harm the young man, they could make it uncomfortable for him
despite the restraining presence of Calvert and Hogan.

It is safe to say that none of the steamers and other boats encountered
on that memorable voyage up stream suspected the meaning of what they
saw. One launch was gliding evenly up the river with a second closely
resembling it a hundred yards or more to the rear. In the latter sat a
young man. In the former were four persons, two of whom had been engaged
for weeks in robbing post offices in the State of Maine. No one observed
that they wore handcuffs, or dreamed that the man handling the wheel was
a famous detective. In this case he was Calvert, who had a fair knowledge
of running a motor boat.

The prisoners were sullen and silent for most of the way. Hagan, seated
behind Calvert, could protect him from any treacherous attack with the
handcuffs. The detective was too wise to invite an assault of that
nature.

When a turn in the course brought the long Wiscasset bridge in sight with
the pretty town on the left, Kit Woodford turned his head and looked back
at the young man who was guiding the other launch.

"What are you going to do with _him_?" he asked, with a black scowl.

"Nothing," replied Hagan.

"Why haven't you got the bracelets on him?"

"He has done us too valuable service. That isn't the way we reward our
friends."

Calvert, who had overheard the words, looked round.

"We may need his evidence to land you and Graff in Atlanta."

The remark was so illuminating that the prisoner said never a word. The
occasion was one of those in which language falls short of doing justice
to the emotions of the persons chiefly involved. It was Graff Miller who
snarled with a smothered rage which it is hard to picture:

"I'll get even with him if I have to wait ten years."

"You'll have to wait all of that and probably longer," said Calvert, "and
by that time I don't think Orestes Noxon will care much what you try to
do."

The detective pronounced the name with emphasis, to learn whether it
attracted any notice. It did not so far as he could judge, whereat he was
glad.

The criminals were put behind bars, and the young man strolled through
the street to the railway station.