old, acquaintance.

When the meal was brought to an end, and before the breakfast dishes
were cleared away, aunt Dorcas referred to the confession of the
previous night, by saying:

"I've been thinking over what you told me, Joseph, and verily believe I
should have awakened you before daylight this morning to ask a few
questions, if you had not been in such a serious condition. You have no
objection to my speaking about the matter before George?"

"Of course not, aunt Dorcas. He knows the whole thing as well as I do,
except he believes I must have done something pretty tough."

"You should never think evil of any person, George, no matter how much
appearances are against him."

"Well, if Joe didn't do anything, what are these lawyers offerin' to
give a whole hundred dollars to catch one of us for?"

"That is what I hope to find out. There is something in connection with
the matter which you boys have failed to explain, that will make it all
very simple. Have either of you a copy of that advertisement?"

"No, aunt Dorcas, I wasn't achin' to lug such a thing as that 'round
with me."

"Does it still appear in the papers?"

"It did yesterday mornin', 'cause Dan showed it to me, an' his name and
Plums's were 'longside of mine."

"Then George must go to Weehawken and buy one of those papers."

Master Plummer looked up in dismay. A six-mile walk was to him such
exercise as amounted almost to torture, and he said, petulantly:

"What good will it do for you to read it in the paper, when we can tell
you every word?"

"Indeed, I don't know; but there must be something which you have failed
to remember."

"Truly, there isn't, aunt Dorcas. I said over the words jest as they was
printed, 'cause I'd be sure to remember a thing like that," Joe replied.

"I am set, when I make up my mind, as all old maids are," the little
woman said, grimly, "and it seems to me absolutely necessary I should
see that advertisement. Now, if George thinks he cannot walk to
Weehawken, I must go myself."

"Indeed you mustn't, aunt Dorcas," and Joe spoke in a tone of authority,
such as he had never before used. "There's nothin' to prevent my walkin'
a dozen miles, if anything is to be gained by it, an' I'll start this
very minute."

To such a proposition as this, aunt Dorcas positively refused to listen.
She was certain Joe's wounds were of such serious nature that violent
exercise might be fatal to him, and Master Plummer began to fear