THE CAPTURE
Paul knew where that bag was.
By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just
then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action,
and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put
his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what
it must be.
What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the
missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some
one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause
against the ruffians?
Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul
thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his
hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the
bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's
anger.
But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed
ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with
him.
"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty.
For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it
warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get
back. I wanter see the fun, you understand."
"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and
guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She
jest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed.
"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll have
a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his
knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together.
"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when
I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me
loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure
to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure
they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You
wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?"
"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the
bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you,
now."
The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him
up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow
of the lamp further up the road.
And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware
that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash.
Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that
horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the
impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim
light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison.
Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief
that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers.
Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but
gave utterance to no sound.
He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he
understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must
be in attendance.
Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a
living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was
wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school,
took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in
trouble.
Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves,
and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from
hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who
had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an
experienced woodsman.
Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second.
They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge
forward must send them full upon his back.
Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just
then; for he suddenly turned his head.
Of course he could not help but see what was behind him.
"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath.
There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash,
taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of
brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any
effective use of the weapons Nature gave him.
He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche
struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle
got his man.
Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble
was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing
quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do.
"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you
follow me!"
Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter
of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement,
and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor.
"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled
Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering
over his head.
Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree,
in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed
free.
But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever
way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving
figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding
behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him.
Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held
down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these
advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to
have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men;
and Brad turned to flee.
"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him.
It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell
the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to
surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible
conditions.
Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the
shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not
go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms,
into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran.
Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of
a face.
"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting.
Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the
car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened
back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face,
where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him
to keep him quiet.
When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with
the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the
other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those
he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted.
There was no more fight in him.
When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were
allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret,
while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one
of the Boy Scouts.
"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my
way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and
creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag
now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut,"
he said.
Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the
article in question, which he delivered to the officer.
From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to
purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents
away.
"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They
were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had
secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you
see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this
it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're
lucky to get out of it as easy as you do."
Ted was looking anything but cheerful.
"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take
it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against
Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated
me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please,
mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm
to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after
all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving.
As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed
they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that
such a wonder should come about.
"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a
third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name.
Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several
of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the
rope, so they just can't possibly get away."
It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay,
also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender,
so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little
Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by
the mill pond.
"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the
gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road.
"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll
soon be off."
"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't
know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps
put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted.
It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond.
Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door.
Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of
Sol Smithers came plainly to them.
"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down
the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?"
"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the
worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash
and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern
voice of Mr. Pender.
Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any
resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that
one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate
characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then
to remedy matters.
Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs.
The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who
had found him in the woods had lain him down.
And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that
because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his
assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to
trial, as he could.
After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence
he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then
they started over the road for Stanhope.
The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr.
Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul
again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for
they were miles away from home.