Part 6 (2/2)

”Now, look here,” the detective said in a moment, ”we're here, as you probably know by this time, in search of an escaped convict We have positive infor soht in plenty of supplies, and intend to remain here until we find hiet hiested Sandy

”But I' to interest you in just about one minute!” declared Katz

”The boy who stole ht is likely to return there at any tiet hiet into trouble yourselves”

”I guess there isn't uess you know that yourself”

”You knoho he is?” ask the detective

”We've been told,” was the reply, ”that he is the son of thefor, but we don't believe it”

”Well, we've made up our minds that he is,” Katz went on, ”and we've also ain

I'll teach hie of authority!”

”When you catch him,” Sandy requested, ”just let us know We want to see hiuess you'll see hiruffly ”And now, if you don't o over to the camp with you and see what the other boys say about hihtdistance fro the ieether when the sound of approaching footsteps was heard

”Gee whiz!” exclaimed Sandy ”This deserted country seems to ht There's always so around in the dark”

”Suppose ait and see who it is,” suggested the detective

Now, Sandy had an idea that one of the persons approaching was Toner He had no notion of assisting the detective to get his hands on the boy, and so hung back when Katz would have stepped forward to intercept those ere advancing toward hiht the lad by the arm and held fast to him while the others went by

Sandy was certain that he heard Tommy's voice as the two passed, but was not certain that he recognized the voice of his companion in the low reply which was made The boy realized that he must have occupied considerable ti his chu around in the darkness, too,”

snarled the detective ”Who is that person with him?”

”I don't know,” answered Sandy

”Yes you do know, too!” gritted Katz, ”You just came froether when you came away”

”You're off there,” Sandy answered

”I'll tell you what I think,” the detective went on, ”and that is that you boys have been out after that Wagner kid I believe he's going into the caht this minute Anyway, I'll take you in and find out about it”

As the two advanced toward the caone on ahead

”You walk in there and see whether that boy thief is there or not,”

coly, ”that I' here in the darkness with an automatic revolver in my hand, so you'd better not attempt any funny business!”

When he reached Tos and e skillet used by the boys contained at least half a dozen eggs and about half a pound of breakfast bacon

”Where's your friend?” Sandy asked in a whisper