Thad looked astonished, but Hugh nodded his head, as though he could understand what was back of those words so strange for a mother to speak.  Deacon Winslow was also considerably surprised, it seemed.

“But the bail bond is only for a thousand dollars, madam,” he said; “and I can afford to put that up for his appearance in court later.”

“Thank you again and again for your kindness to a poor woman, and a mother, sir!” she exclaimed with a half-suppressed sob in her voice; “but there does not seem to be any doubt about my boy’s guilt, much as I hate to acknowledge it.  His association with that Lang boy has been his ruin.  And he would be likely to run away, to try and escape his just punishment, so that the bail bond would be forfeited.”

“But even so it wouldn’t ruin me, Mrs. Disney,” continued the deacon; “and I hate to think of you sitting here, and crying your eyes out because he is locked up.”

She looked straight at him then, as she went on to say bravely: 

“But, sir, I am thinking of what will eventually become of my boy.  If he runs away now he will sink lower and lower, until he commits some terrible crime, it may be.  But Dominie Pettigrew tells me that if he goes to the Reform School there is a chance that he may come out later on completely changed in heart, and ready to play his honest part in the world.  No, I have thought it all over, and prayed to be led to do what is best for my Leon.  I cannot accept your offer, though you mean it in all kindness.  For his sake I will wait until his time has expired, and continue to hope it may be the making of my poor boy.”

Deacon Winslow did not attempt to urge her.  Indeed, he could hardly say anything, for he was half choking with emotion.  But he squeezed her hand, and gave her a look that must have carried some comfort to her poor distracted heart.

Once outside, the boys shook hands with the big man.  Hugh was feeling more drawn towards him than ever.

“I’m coming out to visit you soon, Deacon,” he told the other; “I want to know you better.  There are a lot of things I mean to ask you about the habits of those little animals from which you get your hints about the weather; and you told me to drop in any time I felt like it, you remember.”

“You’ll be doubly welcome, both of you, lads!” the big blacksmith assured Hugh, as he drove away, more or less disappointed because his little plan to assist a sorrow-stricken mother had fallen through.

“Say, his heart must be as big as a bushel-basket, Hugh,” admitted Thad, as they walked along, heading for the open square in the center of the town.

Two minutes later and Thad gave vent to an ejaculation.

“It’s all up now, Hugh!” he said, in a half-disappointed tone.

“What is?” demanded his comrade wonderingly.

“The Chief has arrested Tip Slavin, I mean.  He must have heard what Owen Dugdale had to say about meeting Tip Slavin smoking a cigarette on the road to the mill-pond, and set a trap for him.  He’s just stopped his big car in front of Headquarters, and one of his men is lifting out a load of stuff, doubtless the plunder Tip cached in the woods up there.  And the Chief has his hand on Tip’s shoulder as they get out.  I notice that Tip has lost his arrogant look, and seems badly scared, too!”