She went back to this repetition; and Adams went back to his own,
then paused, seeing his old friend standing in the hallway
outside the open door.

"Ah--I'll just be goin', I guess, Virgil," Lohr said. "I don't
see as there's any use my tryin' to say any more. I'll do
anything you want me to, you understand."

"Wait a minute," Adams said, and, groaning, came and went down
the stairs with him. "You say you didn't see the old man at
all?"

"No, I don't know a thing about what he's going to do," Lohr
said, as they reached the lower floor. "Not a thing. But look
here, Virgil, I don't see as this calls for you and your wife to
take on so hard about--anyhow not as hard as the way you've
started."

"No," Adams gulped. "It always seems that way to the other party
that's only looking on!"

"Oh, well, I know that, of course," old Charley returned,
soothingly. "But look here, Virgil: they may not catch the boy;
they didn't even seem to be sure what train he made, and if they
do get him, why, the ole man might decide not to prosecute
if----"

"HIM?" Adams cried, interrupting. "Him not prosecute? Why,
that's what he's been waiting for, all along! He thinks my boy
and me both cheated him! Why, he was just letting Walter walk