Evarts is out on bail." "He furnished a five thousand surety ?" queried Tom.
"Yes, sir, and who do you suppose went on his bond ?" "I can't imagine who the idiot is." "The man who signed Evarts's bond," continued Foreman Johnson solemnly, "was Mr.Bascomb, president of this company!" "Whew!" muttered Tom aghast.

"And that's all I've got to say on this subject." "I thought you'd like to know the news," remarked Johnson, "and so I came to tell you." "Please accept my thanks," Tom answered.

Then, as the foreman passed along, Reade went back to his friends.
"You seem staggered about something," remarked Mr.Prenter, eyeing him keenly.
"Possibly I am," admitted Tom.

"Evarts is out on bail." "Now, what fool or rogue could have signed that fellow's bail bond ?" demanded Mr.Prenter in exasperation.
"Careful, sir!" warned Tom smilingly.

"I've just been informed that the bail bond was signed by Mr.Bascomb, president of the Melliston Company." "Well, of all the crazy notions!" gasped Mr.Prenter.