Part 3 (1/2)
”There'sin the burros and the provisions!” Katz shouted
”And there's our er!” whispered Tommy to Will
CHAPTER III
THE CASE IS STATED
”It er has come in with my associate,” Katz blustered, as the little caravan came nearer to the camp, ”but if I'm not very much mistaken, both men are here to assist me!”
”Youof his freckled nose ”You look the part, too!”
”Now see here, young rily ”I don't want any lip from you boys I've been robbed in this ca to knohether my property is here or not!”
”If you try any funny business with us,” Sandy cut in, ”you'll get your block knocked off!”
”We'll see about that when oing to subht to be spanked and put to bed instead of being per unwary travellers”
Tory reply, but Will motioned for him to remain silent No more was said until the two men came up with their heavily-loaded burros Katz was first to address the newco a hand to a short, heavily-built lad you caht a man in with you, and plenty of provisions,” he added with a look of challenge at the boys
”Why,” replied Cullen, ”I don't know anything about this felloith me
He came out of Green River with his two burros just ahead of e fro for the camp we have just blundered into”
Katz stepped back as if annoyed at the stateaged in a whispered conversation
In the er advanced toward Will and extended a sealed envelope He was a well-built young felloith a clean-shaven face which gave every indication of intelligence and deter for,” he said, with a ser at this tilad to see you,” Will answered, shaking the youngfor instructions, and, besides,” he continued, ”this cheap skate that you found here is trying towhich took place in the caht”
”You think he's a cheap skate, do you?” Johnson asked, with a significant s about it I know it
That's Joe Katz, one of the rankest plain-clothes policeo force! The felloho came in with me is Ed Cullen, another iht”
Will related the story of the arrival of the boy and of the clai He explained how the detective had threatened them all when the loss of his property was discovered Also, how he had renewed his threats when he believed that he would have the backing of both newcomers Johnson smiled at the recital
”Now, about this boy,” he said, without referring to the two detectives or the threats ”I wish you would describe him to me as accurately as possible Tell ave as complete a description of the boy as possible, and also repeated the account the lad had given of hihed until the echoes came back from the hted in a hornet's nest the first jue and weapons and hter ”That's about the best thing I've heard yet!”
”I don't see anything funny about it!” replied Will
”You will directly,” replied Johnson ”Read your instructions, and then I'll tell you all about this boy, and all about these two imitation detectives Then you'll see how funny this incident is”