"Taniel has been kidnapped?!"
Bondi was taken aback. The sudden news made the sheriff, who had just relaxed, immediately sit up straight, almost dropping the pipe he had just lit from his mouth.
The sheriff looked at his deputy with a face full of surprise, seemingly needing to confirm the accuracy of the information.
"It's news from those 'kids'."
Holle nodded, his bristly beard following the motion and curling against his chest-clad shirt. The detective circled the desk and whispered, "One of the 'kids' happened to go to the post office to get a newspaper. He saw Taniel finish sending a telegram, and as soon as he walked out of the post office, he was knocked out and carried onto a carriage. He notified me right away."
"I had instructed them not to follow recklessly, just to gather information."
"Hmm."
Bondi wholly agreed with his deputy's actions.
