Page 62 - An Amateur Fireman

fearing lest he might inadvertently betray the secret, made short work of the leave-taking.

[Illustration: SAM GOING TO PHILADELPHIA. Page 146.]

Sam was in the car with the ticket in his hand, and it was hardly probable he would do other than proceed to
his destination as had been agreed upon, therefore Bill said in an exceedingly friendly tone:

"Well, we'd better be goin', old man. I'll see you when you get back."

Until this moment Seth had not realized that by supplying Master Barney with the means of transportation to
Philadelphia, they were virtually exiling him from his home, and his heart misgave him as such phase of the
case suddenly presented itself.

"Look here, Sam, s'posen it turns out that you don't find Jip, how'll you get home?" he asked, and there was in
his mind the thought that he would divide his scanty store of money with the alleged detective; but the latter
soon made it plain that he was, or believed he was, able to take care of himself.

"Don't bother your head 'bout me, 'cause even if you have got a show of gettin' into the Fire Department, you
ain't very well posted on the detective business. I'll get back without any of your help, an' I'll bring Jip with
me."

All Seth's sympathy fled, and without further attempt at leave-taking the two walked out of the car, glancing
back from the door an instant at the alleged detective, who was looking as important and satisfied as a boy
well could look.

It was decided between Bill and Seth during the voyage across the river, that after having made a report to
those who awaited their coming they would visit Jip Collins in his retreat at the Erie Basin.

"There's only a few of us knows where he is, an' of course we've got to keep it a secret for a spell, so you, an'
Dan, an' I must give the other fellers the slip if we can."

Seth agreed to this after having been assured that there would be no difficulty in getting back to the
engine-house as Mr. Davis had commanded, and once they were on the New York shore Bill fulfilled his duty
to his friends by giving a detailed account of all Sam had said and done.

Some members of the party--and there were a few who considered Master Barney one of the most promising
young detectives in the city--were fully satisfied with the manner in which he was reported to have borne
himself when he set out to bring to a successful close this his first important case; but those who believed that
Sam's ability existed only in his own mind were inclined to ridicule his fantastic behavior, and one of the
company was applauded loudly as he said:

"If Sam cavorts 'round Philadelphy the same way he went on board the ferry-boat, they'll run him in for a
lunatic, an' we'll never see him again till he turns over a mighty big leaf."

Then the would-be detective's acquaintances separated, each intent on his own business or pleasure, and there
was nothing to prevent the three who were bent upon aiding Jip Collins, from proceeding on their errand of
mercy.

Now that Sam Barney's departure was an accomplished fact, Seth began to reproach himself with having
aided in sending the boy so far from home that it might be many weeks before he could return, and while
walking toward Hoboken Ferry gave words to these thoughts.