"Quite true, my boy. I can't be spared for so long. I wish I could. I have long wanted to make a European tour; but I am tied down at home by business. However, that doesn't explain why I am here." "Don't tell me, sir, unless you like. It is none of my business." "To be sure. In fact, there is a little secret about it; but I don't mind telling you." Ben felt more and more surprised. Was this the proud Squire Archer, who carried his head so high? "If there is a secret about it, perhaps you had better not tell me," said Ben. "Oh, I am quite willing to tell you; but you must not say anything about it till after the steamer has sailed. The fact is, a man, who owes the mill a large sum of money, it is suspected has taken passage on board this steamer, with the intention of going to Europe and evading the payment of his debt. I can't tell you his name, as that might interfere with my plans. I am here to intercept him, and prevent his departure." "I hope you will succeed, Squire Archer," said Ben. "Thank you, Ben. You see, therefore, that it is essential for me to keep my presence here secret till the steamer sails. I will go down-stairs now and watch." Ben delivered his parcel, left the steamer, and did not mention that he had met any one whom he knew. He felt bound to respect Squire Archer's secret. In the afternoon he was walking up Washington Street with the bookkeeper, when the latter bought the Evening Transcript. He glanced at the first page and then turned to Ben. "Do you know Archer living in Milltown?" "Certainly; he is the superintendent of the mill there." "Well, here is a paragraph about him. It seems he has left the town, with fifty thousand dollars belonging to the corporation. His flight has made a great sensation. The police are on his track, and it is thought that he will be arrested and brought back." "I saw Squire Archer this morning, on the Cunard steamer. He told me not to mention having seen him till after the steamer had started." "Is it possible?" exclaimed young Porter. "Yes; he said he was looking out for a man who owed money to the mill, whom he suspected of taking secret passage for Europe." Chapter XXX Sam Is Improved By Adversity Mr. Archer's flight made a great commotion in Milltown. No one entertained a suspicion of his integrity. He had been appropriating the funds of the corporation to his own use, being treasurer as well as superintendent. When exposure was inevitable he fled.