Part 17 (1/2)

Philippe answered, ”I do not know, sir.”

”Tricks!” roared Tom.

Then he took a stick.

Meanwhile a big touring car was driving along the road toward the cave.

It was the car belonging to the two gentlemen who had taken Philippe to Antwerp.

When Papa Pomme had received the letter from Philippe he had immediately shown it to the gentlemen. They had been terribly worried about the boy and had tried in every way to help the poor parents.

When the two gentlemen read of Philippe's plan to capture Tom at the cave, they immediately told the police. Soon the big touring car with the two gentlemen and two policemen was on its way to the cave.

”This is the place,” cried one of the officers.

The car stopped. The four men jumped out. With their guns drawn, they entered the cave.

They heard Tom laughing and saying, ”Now, after I have beaten you, perhaps you will not try any more tricks. We shall leave for other lands, where you cannot escape so easily. We shall go to France and England and then----”

Suddenly Tom stopped speaking. His jaw dropped open. The stick fell from his hands. He saw a sight that made him turn pale. For two gentlemen and two policemen stood in the door of the cave. Each policeman was pointing a pistol at Tom!

Then the Englishman and the American walked over to them.

”The plans for your trip sound very interesting,” said the Englishman in French to Tom. ”But I am afraid we must spoil them. There is another trip which we have planned for you, instead.”

The American looked very thoughtful.

”How in the world do you say 'prison' in French?” he asked.

”The same as in English,” answered his friend.

They marched outside to the car. Tom was handcuffed. He walked between two policemen. Zelie walked with Philippe. They entered the big car and started off. Tom was scowling fiercely.

The American smiled and said, ”In our country the children sing this song.” He sang:

”Off to prison you must go, You must go, You must go, Off to prison you must go, My fair lady!”

Philippe echoed, ”My fair leddy!”

Together they repeated the song, Zelie joining in. Philippe did not understand what he was singing. He did not care, for he was very happy.