CHAPTER XVI

CONCLUSION

At sight of the Big Six they halted, while in their rear came MacLester

and Paul, with Mr. Feeney looking over their shoulders in sheer

amazement at what his eyes beheld. Noting Worth's and Phil's disordered

attire and the bound, somewhat bruised captive inside the tonneau, the

foremost man came forward, saying to the two lads:

"Well, well! I guess you have saved us some trouble, you boys!" He waved

a hand at his partner. "Permit me to introduce self and partner. We're

from Buffalo, plain clothes detectives, secret service. McPherson is my

name; Westcott that of my partner. We already know yours through Mr.

Rack, of Syracuse. Guess you know him. This man," pointing at Quinn,

"and the other chap inside have been wanted some time for illegal

coinage. After putting them under guard we will visit that old Tavern

for further proofs. What's this?"

"It's what that man Quinn was trying to lug off when we took him. Before

that they had stolen our car--" This from Billy.

"I know, I know! And you got this, did you? Pretty good!" McPherson had

opened the valise, disclosing tools, dies, bars of metal and numerous

coins. "We were at Midlandville. Heard of you there. Also got wind of

these chaps and the old Tavern, and, prompted by Rack, we hurried along,

fearing you lads might alarm them, inadvertently of course. But you have

done well, remarkably well! There's a thousand reward out for them and

it looks as if you four boys will have decidedly the best claim."

Meantime Westcott, assisted by Feeney, who greeted the two lads

effusively, carried in Quinn to join his comrade under strict guard.

"Are you not entitled to that reward, Mr. McPherson?" asked Phil at

length.

"No, sir. Not if anyone else does more than we in apprehending them. It

looks now as if you four and perhaps Feeney and his folks will be

entitled to all there is in it."

It may be said here that after all was over, the boys insisted that the

Feeneys should share proportionately in the reward. It did Phil good to

see the delight which these humble, hard working folks felt in what the

third of that reward might do for them. They needed it and were glad to

get it besides being grateful to our boys for being so generous.

Three days later the Big Six rolled smoothly into Lannington once more.

Glad indeed were the Auto Boys to see again the dear home faces and

receive the sweet home greetings. "And also, and likewise," said Mr.

Paul Jones, "home cooking beats the world!"

A number of weeks later the boys read of Adam W. Kull being sentenced to

serve seven years in prison, while Grant Coster received a sentence of

two years. Thus vividly reminded of their adventures, the friends

renewed a former effort to learn how Scottie had happened to appear in

Lannington, their own home city. They could not, though it was evident

that the dog, always even humanly fond of automobiles, had followed some

car there.

Phil and Billy were now preparing to enter college. Dave was already

occupying a steady position in his father's shop and Paul was about to

take up engineering in a school near home. Slowly but surely the almost

unbroken companionship of years' duration was encroached upon by the

demands the days were bringing. The boys were growing older. But I know

there were still no pleasanter hours for any of them than when, on

holidays and of an evening, they sometimes met again at the little green

and yellow garage under the whispering elms.

THE END

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End of Project Gutenberg's The Auto Boys' Vacation, by James A. Braden

The Auto Boys' Vacation · 第 16 / 16 章