_AMATEUR DETECTIVES._
It was fated that the thrilling work of running down and capturing the
thieves should not be begun until after considerable delay.
"Now, I wonder what he is up to?" Dan said, when it was no longer
possible to see the supposed burglar.
"Why is it that you can't let me do this thing?" Sam asked, angrily. "If
you keep meddlin' we'll never fix matters."
"I don't see that I'm interfering," Dan replied, in surprise.
The three boys watched this one particular boat in silence for ten
minutes or more, seeing Long Jim now and then, and just as they believed
he was about to step on board the man walked toward the exhibition
buildings, and was soon lost to view amid the throng of people.
"You was gettin' ready, too, I could tell that by your eye."
"I'll have to give in that you're the smartest feller in this section of
the country, Sam, an' that's a fact."
"Of course it is," the amateur detective replied, complacently, thinking
Dan's sarcasm was really praise. "If I have my own way I can turn up the
biggest thief that ever walked on two legs; but you mustn't bother me,
or things may go wrong."
If the matter had not been so serious to him Teddy would have laughed
long and often at the dignity and superior knowledge assumed by this
fellow, who, since he made his acquaintance, had done nothing more
difficult than to get himself into trouble; but, under the
circumstances, he was so deeply interested in the outcome of the
business that there was no room in his mind for mirth.
"Dan," he said, "let you and I walk around two or three minutes. We'll
stay close by so that Sam can give us the signal in case the men show
up, and we may find Hazelton."
"Don't tell him what we're doin'," the amateur detective cried, sharply.
"Why not?"
"'Cause it's likely he'll want to meddle with our business, an' then my
work will be spoiled."
"I won't say a word to him until after seeing you again," Teddy replied
as he led Dan away, and added when they were where it would be
impossible for Sam to hear them: "See here, it's foolish for us to think
of trying to follow those men if he's to be allowed to make a fool of
himself. With him believing he's the greatest detective in the country,
something wrong is sure to happen, an' we may never get another chance
of finding out about the burglary."
"Don't fret about that," Dan replied, confidently. "It won't do any harm
to let him swell a little now while he's keeping watch; but when the
real work begins it won't take long to sit on him."
"Then there will be a row."
"I'll attend to his case; but I don't think there'll be anything for us
to do yet awhile. The men are evidently in no hurry to leave, and most
likely intend to wait till the crowd begins to go."
"Then why should all three of us stay on watch?"
"We won't. Go back to your cane-board, and I'll tell Sam to come for you
when the burglars put in an appearance. He'll have time to do that, an'
while he's gettin' a boat ready you can come for me."
"Will it be safe to trust him?"
"Yes, indeed," Dan replied, with a laugh. "He's havin' an awful good
time thinkin' he's the greatest detective in the world, and couldn't be
hired to leave that clump of willows so long as the men keep out of
sight."
Teddy was not so confident, and insisted on going back with Dan while
the arrangement was made.
When the matter was explained Sam appeared to be perfectly satisfied.
"That's all right," he said, readily. "I can see to this thing alone;
but I'll let you fellers know the minute anything happens. Don't tell
any of the constables what I'm up to, or they'll want to have a finger
in the pie."
Convinced that he would be informed of any change in the situation,
Teddy returned to the cane-board just in time to aid Tim in attending to
a rush of customers who were spending their money liberally.
"What made you come back?" the clerk asked, in surprise. "I've hired a
feller for a quarter to pick up rings, an' am gettin' along first rate."
Teddy briefly explained the condition of affairs, and then there was
little opportunity for conversation until considerably past noon, when
trade dropped off very decidedly for a while.
In order that he might have a glimpse of the other fakirs and rest
himself at the same time, Tim was sent to see if Sam was yet at his
self-selected post of duty, and Teddy took advantage of the opportunity
to ascertain the amount of his receipts.
To his great surprise he found nearly forty dollars in the money-box,
and from this he took thirty with which to pay the merchant in
Waterville who had given him credit for his stock.
"It has turned out to be a mighty good venture, even if Aunt Sarah was
so sure I'd make a fool of myself by tryin' it. All the money I make now
will be clear profit, and it looks as if I'd be able to help mother
quite a bit."
[Illustration: "They're getting ready to start!" he said, breathlessly.]
"Well, how is business?" a voice asked, in a cheery tone, and, looking
up, Teddy saw his sole remaining creditor.
"I'm glad you've come," he cried, bundling the thirty dollars up in a
piece of paper. "I'd jest counted this out for you, an' when you take it
I'll be free from debt."
"But I don't want the money," the merchant replied. "I only came around
to see if you were successful."
"I've already made more than I reckoned on, an' it'll be a favor if you
take this, 'cause I don't like to have so much around."
Then Teddy explained the condition of his business affairs, not
forgetting to tell of the accusation made against him by his Uncle
Nathan, and the merchant said, as he concluded:
"I heard the whole story, my boy, and have already talked with Mr.
Hargreaves, whom I met a few moments ago. I do not think he can do
anything to you, because you have made many friends here. The money I
will take, as it is not well to keep it where it might be stolen; but
can give you no receipt until I get home."
"That'll be all right," Teddy replied, contentedly; "you trusted me with
the goods, an' it would be funny if I couldn't wait for a receipted
bill. It's through you that I've had the chance to make so much, an' I
want you to know I feel grateful."
"I believe that, and am more than pleased to have put you in the way of
getting a start in the world. Come to see me when the fair closes, and
it is possible I may show you an opportunity of learning to be a
merchant on a large scale, rather than a fakir whose method of getting a
living is very precarious, regardless of the fact that he sometimes
makes very great profits."
It can be readily understood that Teddy accepted the invitation, and
then, trade commencing once more, the gentleman walked away, leaving the
proprietor of the cane-board with the pleasing consciousness that he was
free from debt, and with quite a large amount of money in his mother's
keeping.
Tim returned very shortly after the merchant's departure, and reported
that Sam was still on duty.
"The boat hasn't been moved nor have the men showed up again," he said.
"That feller acts as if he thought he was bigger than the President. He
told me he could be the greatest detective that ever lived if it wasn't
that folks made him show off at rowin' 'cause he had so much style about
him. I don't think he's so very wonderful; but, of course, I never saw
many out an' out detectives."
"And you don't see one when you met him. I'm sure he'll get Dan an' me
in trouble before this thing is ended."
"Then why don't you let him go off alone? That's what I'd do with such a
chump."
"I can't, because----"
The sentence was not concluded, for at that moment Dan came up at full
speed.
"They're gettin' ready to start!" he said, breathlessly. "I saw 'em go
by the buildin', an' run over to tell Sam that I'd fetch you. Our boat
is a long distance up the creek, an' we'll have to hurry, or run the
chance of missing their craft."
There was no delay on Teddy's part, despite the misgivings he had
regarding Sam.
One parting injunction to Tim on the subject of business, and then he
followed Dan at full speed toward the creek on such a course as would
bring them fully a quarter of a mile above the boat-house outside the
fair grounds.
Sam had made everything ready for the journey by the time they arrived,
and was so excited that he could no longer speak of his own wonderful
powers as a thief-catcher.
"One of you fellers had better row while I steer," he said, seating
himself in the stern sheets and taking the tiller-ropes. "If they see
the way I handle the oars they'll know exactly who's after them, an'
then the game'll be up."
"Don't worry yourself about that," Dan replied, calmly. "Neither Teddy
nor I knows anything about a boat, except it may be to steer, so you'll
have to hump yourself."
Sam grumbled considerably about taking so many risks; but he finally
moved over to the bow and his companions took their seats aft.
"I won't put any style to it, an', perhaps, that'll keep 'em from
knowin' I'm on their trail," he said, and immediately began rowing in
such a bungling fashion that Dan said, sharply:
"Look here, if you're goin' to pull this boat, do it, or we'll go back.
At this rate, you'll have everybody at the fair watching to see what
kind of chumps have been allowed to risk their lives. We've got no time
to spare, either; for we must get on the other side of the creek where
it will be possible to watch the men without getting too near."
"I'll take care of that part of the business," Sam replied, loftily, and
Dan immediately put into operation his plan of "sitting" on the amateur
detective.
"You do your share, and that will be enough. Teddy and I propose to take
a hand in this ourselves."
"Then I might as well go back."
"You can, if you want to."
It so chanced that he had no such desire, and with the air of one whose
feelings have been deeply wounded he rowed steadily on, Dan steering,
until they were where it was possible to have a full view of a long
stretch of the creek.
[Illustration: "There they are!" Teddy said.]
"There they are!" Teddy said, pointing down stream to where a boat was
being pulled close to the left bank. "They have stopped, and it looks as
if something was being taken on board!"
"It is a portion of the goods they stole!" Dan cried. "Stop rowing, Sam,
and if nothing happens we'll soon know where the whole lot is to be
hidden."