CHAPTER XXXII 

ACQUITTED 

If Skip had been an actor in a pantomime, and rehearsed the scene every day for a week, he could not have arrived more precisely, than when he made his appearance at the very moment Mr. Hunter was about to declare the defense closed. 

Sam and Fred sprang to their feet as he entered the door, and Joe actually shouted, so great was his joy and relief; but he was speedily made to understand by the officers that another breach of decorum as flagrant would result in his expulsion from the court-room. 

Following Skip came the constable leading Tim, who looked frightened and pale. Mr. Hunter at once called the prisoner to the witness stand. 

Not knowing that Gus had denied having seen the money, Tim soon said enough to convict himself, and in a few moments was ready to confess his share in the matter. 

"I didn't take it," he said, whiningly. "Gus showed me the money here in town an' told as how he'd sneaked it out of the pocket of a feller what he found asleep on the mountain. He agreed that I could have half if I'd go off somewhere with him." 

"Where is he now?" Mr. Hunter asked. 

"I don't know. When I went for some grub he was watchin' Fred Byram what we caught followin' us." 

"What had been done with the money?" 

"He had all that was left but ten dollars, an' I was goin' to spend that." 

"What had Fred Byram done to you?" 
who came into the room right after skip?
Following Skip came the constable leading Tim