The men who had committed the deed had driven off with the wagon and
trunk, and by this time were undoubtedly at a safe distance in hiding.
Bart went home, got his breakfast, told his mother a trunk had got lost
and he might have to go down the road to look it up, returned to the
express office, found Darry Haven and McCarthy on duty, gave them some
routine directions, and left the place.
Darry Haven followed him outside with a rather serious face.
"Bart," he said anxiously, "Mrs. Colonel Harrington drove down here a
few minutes ago."
"About the trunk, I suppose."
"Yes, and she was wild over it. Said you had got rid of the trunk to
spite her, because she had had some trouble with your mother."
"Nonsense! Anything else?"
"If the trunk don't show up to-day, she says she will have you
arrested."
Bart shrugged his shoulders, but he was consciously uneasy.
"What did you tell her, Darry?" he inquired.
"I put on all the official dignity I could assume, but was very polite
all the time, informed her that mislaid, delayed and irregular express
matter were common occurrences, that the company was responsible for its
contracts, counted you one of its most reliable agents, and assured her
that very possibly within twenty-four hours she would find her trunk
delivered safe and sound at its destination.
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