“Bind me over?” I queried in perplexity.  “What do you mean?”

“Hold you, unless you can give a bond to appear when wanted.”

“But I had nothing to do with the burglary.”

“You are principal accuser of this John Stumpy.”

“Well, I’ll promise to be on hand whenever wanted.”

“That is not sufficient.  Your character is—­ is not—­ ahem! of the best, and—­”

“Why is my character not of the best?” I demanded.

“Well, ahem!  Your father, you see—­”

“Is innocent.”

“Perhaps—­ perhaps, but, nevertheless, I will have to hold you.  Parsons, I will leave him in your charge.”

“You have no right to arrest me,” I cried, for I knew very little of the law.

“What’s that?” demanded Judge Penfold, pompously.  “You forget I am the judge of that.”

“I don’t care,” I burst out.  “I have done no wrong.”

“It ain’t that, Roger.  Many innocent men are held as witnesses,” put in Parsons.

“But I’ve got to attend to Mrs. Canby’s business,” I explained.

“I fancy Mrs. Canby would rather get on the track of her money,” said Judge Penfold severely.  “Can you furnish bail?”

I did not know that I could.  The woman who had been robbed was my only friend, and she was away.

“Then you’ll have to take him to the lockup, Parsons.”

This news was far from agreeable.  It would be no pleasant thing to be confined in the Darbyville jail, not to say anything of the anxiety it might cause Kate.  Besides, I wanted to follow up John Stumpy.  I was certain I could do it fully as well as the constable.

“Come, Roger, there is no help for it,” said Parsons, as I still lingered.  “It’s the law, and it won’t do any good to kick.”

“Maybe not, but, nevertheless, it isn’t fair.”

We walked out into the front hall, the judge following us.

“Of course if you can get bail any time during the day I will let you go,” he said; “I will be down in my office from nine to twelve and two to four.”

“Will you offer a reward for the capture of the man?” I asked.

“I cannot do that.  The freeholders of the county attend to all such matters.  Parsons, no doubt, will find the scoundrel.”

As the judge finished there was a violent ringing of the door bell.  Judge Penfold opened the door and was confronted by Mr. Aaron Woodward, who looked pale and excited.

“Judge, I want you—­ hello! that boy!  Judge, I want that boy arrested at once!  Don’t you let him escape!”

“Want me arrested?” I ejaculated in astonishment.  “What for?”

“You know well enough.  You thought to hide your tracks, but I have found you out.  Parsons, don’t let him get out of the door.  He’s a worse villain than his father was!”

CHAPTER X

 Under arrest