CHAPTER XXIV. 

ALONG THE RIVER. 

Matt could do nothing but stare at the freight agent. A man had come there and driven off with the horse and wagon and taken the cases of goods with him. It seemed too bold-faced to be true. 

"Our man?" he stammered. "We have no man." 

"Didn't you send the man here?" demanded the agent, as he stopped short in his work of checking off packages. 

"We certainly did not," returned the young auctioneer. "Andy!" he called out, as he stepped back toward the open door, and a moment later Andy Dilks hurried into the depot. 

"He says a man came here, got the cases of goods, and drove off with Billy," cried Matt breathlessly. "You did not send any one here, did you?" 

"Certainly not," returned Andy promptly. "When was this?" 

"Less than two hours ago," replied the freight agent, and he was now all attention. "Do you mean to say the fellow was a thief?" 

"He was!" cried Matt. 

"I don't see how he could be anything else," added Andy. "Did he pretend to have an order for the cases?" 

"Yes, he had a written order." 

"And the bill of lading?" 

"N--no, he didn't have that," was the slow reply. "But I thought it was all right. He looked like an honest chap. You had better notify the police at once." 

"We will," said Matt. "What sort of a looking fellow was he?" 

As best he could the freight agent gave a description of the man who had driven off with the goods and the turn-out. Matt and Andy both listened attentively. 
Was the thief emboldened?
"Did he pretend to have an order for the cases?" 

"Yes, he had a written order." 