CHAPTER XVII--A TRUE FRIEND

"All right, Andy."

"Did you send the telegram?"

"Yes, and paid for it, so there would be no delay."

"You needn't have done that."

"I wanted to be sure that it went double rush."

"All right, I will settle with you when they give me back my money."

Chase, the lockup-keeper, had promptly and willingly attended to the errand upon which Andy had sent him.

"See here, Andy," said Chase, "I understand they had you up in court."

"Yes," answered Andy, "they took me up to fix the bail."

"How much?"

"Two thousand dollars."

"Why!" exclaimed Chase, his face darkening, "that's an outrage."

"I think so, too."

"There's something behind it," muttered the lockup-keeper.

"Yes," returned Andy. "Mr. Talbot is behind it. He seems to stand in with the prosecuting attorney. Mr. Jones was quite willing to drop the case, and said that Mr. Talbot had egged him on."

Chase did not say any more just then, but as he strolled away, he muttered to himself in an excited manner. He busied himself about the place for the next hour. Then he showed Andy his own sleeping quarters, a quite comfortable, well-ventilated room, and set up an extra cot in it.

"You and I will have our meal in my room after I feed the other prisoners," he said. "I'll make it as easy for you as I can, Andy."

"I know you will, Mr. Chase," responded Andy heartily.

"I'll do a good deal for you," declared the faithful old fellow. "What do I care for this mean old job, anyway? Say," and he dropped his voice to a cautious whisper, "suppose there was a way for both of us to get out of here?"

"What do you mean?" queried Andy quickly.

"Just what I say. Suppose you and I could get to some place a long way off, where they couldn't trace us, could you get me another job, do you think?"

"Don't you like this one?"

"No, I don't. I despise it. I have to give Talbot half of my salary for getting it for me, and I'm tired of the jail."

"Do you mean to tell me that Talbot takes one half of your salary?" questioned Andy indignantly.

"I do."

"Then he's a meaner man than I thought he was. I can get you a much better job when I get free," said Andy, "and I'll do it, but you mustn't think of such nonsense as my escaping."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm a sticker, and never ran away like a sneak in my life," declared Andy strenuously. "No, I'm going to face the music like a man."

Chase was silent for a while. Finally, evidently struggling with some new disturbing thought, he said:

"Sure you can get me a job, Andy?"

"I am."

"If I cut loose from here and make Talbot an enemy for life, you'll see to it that I get work?"

"As long as you keep sober, Mr. Chase, you can always get a position. You have made a brave start. Now brace up, think something of yourself, and earn a comfortable living."

"I'll do it!" cried Chase. "I'll risk everything. Andy, you didn't fire that barn. Do you know who did?"

"I have a suspicion," replied Andy.

"If I guess right who you suspect, will you nod your head?"

"Yes."

"It was Gus Talbot and Dale Billings."

Andy nodded his head. He started slightly as he did so, wondering at the sturdy declaration of Chase. Then he asked:

"Why do you think so, Mr. Chase?"

"I don't think, I know," declared the lockup-keeper.

"Did you see them do it?"

"No, I didn't, but--see here, Andy, I've nothing more to say."

"Why not?"

"I want to find an old tramp named Wandering Dick, before I go any farther."

"Does he know?"

"I'll not say another word except this: they'll never prove you a firebug, and old Talbot will be sorry for the day he stirred things up and started out to persecute an honest boy. Drat the varmint! I'll be afraid of him no longer, Andy, you are a good friend."

"I try to be, Mr. Chase."

"I'll prove that I am to you."

Chase refused to say another word. Andy curiously watched him stump around attending to his duties. The old fellow would scowl and mutter, and Andy believed he was mentally discussing Talbot. Then he would chuckle, and Andy decided he was thinking something pleasant about himself.

Chase appeared to have entire charge of the cell room. At five o'clock in the afternoon he let the other prisoners out in the corridor for exercise, and at six o'clock he gave them their supper in their cells. Then he and Andy adjourned to the little room beyond the cells and had a hearty, appetizing meal.

Chase supplied Andy with some newspapers, and later they played a game of checkers. About nine o'clock a prisoner was brought in and locked up.

At ten o'clock, just as Andy was going to bed, the turnkey's ponderous key rattled at the barred door, and again his voice rang out:

"Andrew Nelson!"

"Wonder who wants me now?" said Andy.

"Somebody to see you in the sheriff's room," said the turnkey, "follow me."

Andy did so. As they entered the apartment indicated, a man with one arm in a sling advanced and grasped Andy's hand warmly.

"This is a blazing shame!" he burst out, "but I'll have you out of here if it takes all I've got and can beg or borrow."

It was Andy's employer, John Parks, the Airship King.