“She is a brave girl, but she has undertaken more now than she can accomplish. Get Judge Oglesby to sign Dean Mercer’s bond! The idea is absurd, though I am beginning to think the boy is not guilty of any wrongdoing.” “We shall succeed in getting father interested; we must!” declared Eva, as she hastened homeward after leaving Mr. Montague. But she preferred to see her father alone, so Jack and Manly remained in the background while she sought the judge in his library. It was nearly an hour before Eva reappeared to join her anxious companions, and then her countenance, radiant with a look of happiness, told before she had spoken that she had been successful. “I had a long tussle with papa,” she said, “before he would listen to such ‘a silly idea,’ as he expressed it. But when I had gone through all of your story, Jack, and showed him how unreasonable it was to think that Dean had come back here to rob us, he relented.” “And he will save him?” asked Manly hopefully. “He will furnish his bail, which will give Dean his liberty for a time. I am so anxious to hear his story.” A good-sized crowd gathered at the hearing of Dean Mercer, expecting a sensation in its developments. Those that did were disappointed, while his friends were treated to a genuine surprise. Mr. Montague appeared as his counsel, and simply pleaded “not guilty,” waived an examination, with an appeal to the higher court. Bond was then fixed at one thousand dollars, when the most unexpected thing happened. Judge Oglesby, who had caused his arrest and was the complainant, promptly furnished the bail which gave Dean his freedom. The public was agog then, wondering what it meant. Dean was the most surprised person of them all. “You have only Eva to thank,” said the judge, as Dean pressed forward to his side to express his thanks for the other’s generous act. “If you are innocent, as she believes, you have thirty days in which to prove it.” “Thank you, sir, I will.” If Dean had desired to speak for a moment with his deliverer he was accorded the privilege, for he had no sooner escaped the crowd than he was met by Eva, Manly and Jack Carboy, all of whom were profuse in their congratulations. “I could not think you did it, Dean,” declared Eva. “I did not, Miss Oglesby, and what is more I hope to prove it.” “I do hope you will. You must not blame father for still feeling that you are guilty. You must remember it has cost him dear, for besides losing the money that was to pay for the steamer he has lost the boat itself. I finally got him to sign your bail, and he has done it so you may have time to prove your innocence.” “You are both very kind. I appreciate it. I am so sorry to have caused you so much trouble and anxiety. But within a month I believe I shall be able to clear up the whole mystery.” “You have my wishes for your success.”