Part 46 (2/2)
”They are quarrelling,” went on Tom, and now he was chuckling.
”Quarrelling? Over what?”
”Over the way they are going to divide the money they squeeze out of dad and Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning. They've got it all cut and dried that they are going to get forty or fifty thousand dollars before they send Nellie and Dora back to school, and Crabtree and Sobber want the lion's share, while Koswell and Larkspur and that other chap, the doctor,--if he is one--want just as much. They are at it hot and heavy.”
”What of the girls?”
”They must still be in the upper room, and the woman is either with them or next door to them.”
Tom was glad to see the sheriff and his men, and in a very few words the county official outlined his plan for capturing the evildoers in the old stone mansion.
”We'll let them believe that I brought about a dozen men with me,” said Sheriff Fells. ”That will most likely take the starch right out of them.
Then, before they can think of resisting, I'll clap the irons on them.
You, Thompson, can stay out in front, and you, Rapp, can walk around to the rear. If they run, plug them in the legs,” added the sheriff grimly.
It had been a long time since he had had such an important case to deal with and he intended to make the best showing possible.
”We can go in with you, can't we?” asked d.i.c.k.
”Certainly, and don't hesitate to show your guns, boys. But don't use them unless they show fight and try to get away.”
”They are not going to get away!” cried Tom, st.u.r.dily. ”This is the time we are going to round 'em up, every one!”
A few further directions were given by the sheriff, and then he and the three Rover boys advanced to the front door of the old mansion. At the same time, with pistol in hand, the officer named Thompson remained where he was, while he named Rapp walked around to guard the rear.
The door was unlocked, for those inside had not dreamed of being disturbed. On tiptoes the party entered the dark hallway. To keep out the cold, the door to the sitting room had been closed. From within the room came a murmur of voices.
”Well then, that's settled,” came from Tad Sobber.
”I think we ought to have more money,” grumbled Koswell.
”You will be getting your full share,” said Josiah Crabtree, tartly.
”And you'll be getting what is coming to you in another minute!”
chuckled Tom.
Advancing to the door the sheriff paused for a moment and then threw it wide open, at the same time holding up a brace of pistols.
”Hands up!” he cried sternly. ”Hands up, all of you, in the name of the law!”
CHAPTER x.x.x
THE ROUND-UP--CONCLUSION
”What's this?”
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