Part 35 (1/2)

”One thing we've got to do the minute we get back,” said Bart.

”What?” asked Fenn.

”We've got to make a trip to that place where we saw the men acting so queerly, where Sandy was on guard, and where that log cabin was, and see what it all means. We'll have those men arrested.”

”And Captain Needham, too.”

”Yes, he's in the plot.”

The boys arrived home about noon. That they were welcomed by their parents, relatives and friends is putting it mildly. There was a big crowd at the depot, as the train got in, and there was a regular procession up the main street, with the boys in the center. Such shouting, laughing and cheering was seldom heard in Darewell before, and the next issue of the town paper was hardly large enough to give even a partial account of what happened.

As soon as the boys were released by their friends, which took considerable time, there was a consultation at Mr. Wilding's house.

It was attended by the four boys, Frank's uncle, Mr. Keene and Mr.

Masterson. The lads told their story from the start, beginning with their first encounter with the King of Paprica.

”There are just two ways about it,” said Mr. Wilding. ”Those men are either crazy or they are criminals, up to some game. In either case they ought to be driven from the community.”

The others agreed with him. Then they discussed a plan. It was decided that the boys, accompanied by Mr. Wilding, the chief of police and an officer, should go to the clearing at the foot of Bender's hill, and see if any of the men were still there. If they were they were to be arrested, and held until they made a satisfactory explanation.

The little posse started about three o'clock that afternoon, the matter being kept quiet. The two police officers were armed. The boys wanted to take their rifles, but were not allowed to, as their parents did not want them to run any chances.

The chief of police and his officer led the way through the woods and across the fields to the location described by the boys. They went cautiously, keeping a lookout for any signs of the strangely-acting men.

As they advanced through a little glade, close to where the clearing was located, the chief, who was in advance, called out:

”There's some one sitting on the ground just ahead.”

Bart pressed forward. He saw a lad leaning against a big stake driven into the earth.

”Why it's Jimmie Nelson!” Bart exclaimed.

”The laziest boy in town,” murmured the chief.

”I'll go up and speak to him,” Bart went on. ”You can hang back here until I see what he's doing.”

”Doing? He never does anything,” said Fenn.

”h.e.l.lo, Jimmie,” called Bart, as he started to cross the clearing. ”What you doing here?”

”Got a job.”

”You call that a job; sitting there?”

”Sure, it's a nice easy job. Sandy got it for me. He's working for the same firm.”

Bart gave a sudden start. The plot, it seemed, was thickening.