“Oh, he’s a deep one,” was Mr. Norton’s retort. “He knew that to do so would make him appear innocent. He has a long head on his shoulders.” “Well, that ain’t here or there. I’ll take you both along.” After this there was a long spell of silence. I was busy thinking over what my guardian had said, and wondering what would be the outcome of his capture. On reaching Chester, we drove at once to the police station. As we alighted at the door, Ford came forth. “Hullo!” he cried. “Well, this is lucky! I was just going back to Loadhead to see if they had captured Avery. So you’ve got him?” “Yes. Where is Yates?” “The chief is getting ready to take him to Bayport.” “Then he can take this man, and also the boy,” said Mr. Walters. “Certainly the man, but why the boy?” asked Ford. “The man accuses him of being an accomplice.” “Accuses Reuben!” burst out Ford. “There is not a word of truth in it! Why, that man tried to burn the boy up!” Walters shrugged his shoulders. “I must listen to what he says. Come, here is Chief Larkins now.” In a moment more we were all in the station-house; and I told how Mr. Norton had been captured; and Mr. Walters gave his knowledge of the event. Then Yates was brought in, and the diamonds that had been found upon the two were put in a safe place until they could be returned to Bayport. “Is this boy an accomplice of yours?” asked the chief of Yates. “I have nothing to say,” growled the man. And I found out later that such was the only reply he had made since he had been captured. “Of course the boy’s in the case,” said Mr. Norton. “He’s my nephew.” “Are you?” asked Chief Larkins. “I am; but the relationship doesn’t count for much.” “I am his guardian, though he doesn’t seem to appreciate that fact.” “You are not a guardian for any boy to be proud of,” put in Mr. Walters. “He isn’t my guardian any longer. I have known him only a week, and I have found him to be a thoroughly bad man. I want nothing to do with him.” There was considerable talk after this; and it was finally decided to return to Bayport without delay, stopping at Loadhead on the way in order to find out if Avery had been captured. CHAPTER XXX. NORTON BIXBY. Chief Larkins procured a large wagon, and into this the entire party were stowed away, and off we drove. “Did you have much trouble with Yates?” I asked of Ford, as we rolled along. “A little; but I showed him that I was a pretty strong fellow, and then he gave in at once.” It did not take us long to reach Loadhead. Here we found both Captain Harley and Captain Pointer. Nothing had been seen of Avery, but they felt confident that he would be captured in some town on the other side of the mountains. “How shall we get back to Bayport?” asked the constable. “Why not use the Catch Me?” I replied. “I suppose she is lying right where we left her.”