The necessary papers had hardly been made out in Squire Slocum’s office when the jailer rushed in pale as a ghost. “Norton has escaped!” he ejaculated. CHAPTER XVII. BACK TO THE MILL. For the moment there was intense excitement among the half-dozen men who were present. The escape of a prisoner from Bend Center was an unheard-of occurrence, and for a while nobody seemed to know what to do. “Norton escaped!” ejaculated the squire, jumping up from his chair. “Yes, sir,” replied the jailer. “When?” “Some time within the past two hours.” “How was it accomplished?” “Broke three of the iron bars out of the window, and climbed the wall into Dr. Sand’s garden.” “Have you any idea where the man has gone to?” “No, sir.” In a few minutes the bell over the village hall was rung, the news was spread that Mr. Norton had escaped, and a reward of fifty dollars was offered for his capture. “I take it that he is guilty,” said Mr. Markham, as we stood in the squire’s office. “It is rather rough on you, Stone, but that is what I think.” “I think so myself, sir,” I replied. “But, Mr. Markham, allow me to thank you for your kindness in going my bail. I didn’t expect it. Aren’t you afraid I will run away?” “No, I am not. I can read faces, and I take yours to be an honest one.” “Thank you, sir. I’ll promise not to run away.” “What do you intend to do?” he went on. “I must get back to New York and get ready to go to Philadelphia first thing to-morrow morning.” “You have spent a good deal of time on me, sir. I expect to go back to the mill.” At that moment two men came up. “They’ve found out that Norton started up the road to Hillsburg,” said one of the men. “I reckon he is going to try to make the midnight train if possible.” “It’s a pity you can’t telegraph, and head him off,” said Mr. Markham. “There are no wires through the Bend,” was the reply. “The place is behind in some things.” I was silent. Was it true that Mr. Norton intended to shake the dust of the district from his feet for good? I could not help but wish that such was a fact. Not but what I wanted to see the guilty parties punished, but I desired to have nothing more to do with the man, and would be perfectly content if he would never again approach me. I considered that I was old enough to take care of myself, and wanted no guardian of any kind excepting such a nominal one as the law might require. A few moments later Mr. Markham and I walked down to the dock at which the Catch Me was lying. Mr. Williams had put the craft in first-class trim once more, and as I stepped on board I could not help but feel my breast swell with pride as I realized that I was the owner. “I will take you to Bayport if you wish,” I said. “Thank you, Stone; I would like to get over there as soon as possible.”