"Killed or wounded," added the cashier.

"He could not have met John Fox, for I held him in custody."

"There was the other brother, James, who was at large."

"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. The cashier spoke truly when he said that he
cared more for the boy's safety than for the recovery of the bonds.

"Can you tell me anything that will help me in my expedition?" asked Luke.
"Have you any idea where the Fox gang would be likely to carry Ernest?"

"It is generally supposed that the band have a secret rendezvous somewhere
within a dozen miles, but no one has been able to discover where it is."

"And you think that Ernest would be carried there?"

"Yes, they would hardly bring themselves to kill a young boy. He would be
easily overpowered by a grown man, so that there would be no excuse for
murderous violence."

"How did the boy go?"

"He walked."

"But it was a long distance."

"Yes, about ten miles. We at first thought of providing him with a
saddle-horse, but there was one objection."

"What was that?"

"He would have been more likely to be suspected of being out on some
mission."

Leaving Luke Robbins to start on his search for Ernest, we will go back to
the time when the boy messenger left the bank on the day previous.

The United States bonds were inclosed in an envelope and carried in an
inner pocket, which had been expressly made by an Emmonsville tailor on
his first connecting himself with the bank. The pocket was unusually deep,
so as to accommodate a long parcel.

This was the most important commission on which Ernest had been employed,
and he was pleased with the confidence reposed in him. He did not dread
the long walk, for he was a strong and active boy. Besides, he was
authorized to accept a ride if one should be offered him.

He would arrive at Lee's Falls after the bank was closed, but he was
instructed to call at the residence of the cashier and leave the bonds.

Ernest had walked three miles when he met with an adventure.

On the borders of a small pond he caught sight of a small Indian boy
playing. He was probably not more than three years of age. A stick he was
playing with fell into