CHAPTER XIV.
SEARCHING THE HAY BARN.
"SAY that again, please!" gasped Chief Benchley, as he stared at thefarmer, like a man who could hardly believe his ears.
"I said I had reason to believe that the two hands I hired yesterdaymust be the very rascals you are looking for right now," repeated Mr.Brady.
"Er--describe them, please?" said the man in uniform, as he drew out abulky notebook, and opened it at a certain place.
"One was very short, a squatty sort of fellow, but enormously strong.When I saw what he could lift I thought I'd run across a good hand,though I own that I didn't just like his face; but at this time of yearfarmers can't be choosers, 'cause help is mighty scarce."
"Did he have a scar on his right cheek?" asked the pompous chief ofpolice, as he kept his eyes on his notebook.
"That's just what he did have; told me he had been caught once by areaper, and just escaped with his life!" answered Mr. Brady promptly.
"So. And did you happen to notice his left hand, was the upper joint ofhis little finger missing?" the officer continued, in a sing-song tone.
"It certainly was," replied the farmer, nodding; "he explained that inthe same way; and I agreed with him that he was lucky to lose only sosmall a piece, when he had the mower catch him, as the horses ranaway."
"Settled then; that was Shorty McCabe beyond all doubt," remarked theofficial. "Now how about his companion? Was he tall?"
"Half again as big a man as the other," replied Mr. Brady.
"Squint with one of his eyes; and talk as if he had his mouth filledwith hot mush?" continued Chief Benchley.
"You have described him to a dot," answered the other, quickly.
"Then I have the honor to inform you, sir, that the men who were latelyin your employ are the identical criminals we happen to be looking forat this very minute."
"I guessed as much," dryly remarked Mr. Brady; who, it seemed to Elmer,had sized the important official at his true value, which, as Landyafterwards declared, was very much along the line of a "bag of wind."
"Please produce them, and we will see to it that they give you nofurther worry," remarked the officer.
"I only wish I could, sir; but the fact is, that after being caughtrobbing the house by one of my family, while my grown son and myselfwere in the fields, they set fire to things, and then ran off," thefarmer replied.
"That is bad," remarked the policeman, sadly. "I had thought you mighthave tied the rascals up, and that we could relieve you of their care.Can you tell me in what direction they fled, sir?"
"Toward the barns, my daughter says," Mr. Brady replied.
"Evidently with the design of securing horses, and continuing theirflight," said the big man in blue, as though these things were only forthe practical mind of a man of long experience.
"Hardly that, sir," the farmer observed.
"How do you know?" asked Chief Benchley, frowning at the idea of a merecountryman venturing to differ with him.
"Because they knew in the first place that I only have two horses justnow, and both of them were being used by my son and myself out inanother field, some distance away from the house. But one of thesewide-awake lads has suggested that perhaps they meant to concealthemselves in the haymow, or about the barns somewhere, in the hope thatafter all the excitement blew over, another chance might open up tosearch my house for the money they need to make a get-away."
The big man in blue wagged his head as he considered this piece ofinformation.
"Well, now, that might be worth looking into; it isn't such a bad ideafor a boy to think up. Perhaps we'd better take a look through the barn,and make sure. Whether we find them there or not, make up your mind thegame's nearly up for the rascals. When they get Benchley hot on thetrail, they're going to cash in and start for the pen in short order.Lead the way to the barn, then, mister. What did you say your name was?"
"I didn't mention it, but I'm Silas Brady. I was just going to get someof the neighbors, and make the search myself when you hove in sight, Mr.Benchley. But of course I'd be only too glad to have you take entirecharge, for your long experience in such things will be of greatadvantage to us," and catching the eye of Elmer just then, Mr. Bradygave him a sly wink.
But the pompous man in blue did not see this. He swelled out a littlemore, until Landy privately informed Ty that he made him think of aproud pouter pigeon he had at home, which threatened to burst everytime it strutted around, with its lungs filled with air.
As they started off toward the barn the officer made a sweeping motionwith his arm that was apparently understood by the three who had comewith him in the car, for they immediately headed as if to join him.
The farmer also spoke to quite a number of husky fellows whom he knew asneighbors; so that there was a general exodus from the vicinity of thehouse toward the out-buildings of the place.
As the word was passed from mouth to mouth the brawny farmers began toshow some signs of excitement. One of them picked up a stout cudgel,which he gripped in a way to indicate that he anticipated using the samein case of necessity; seeing which the others started to also armthemselves.
It was quite a formidable force that began to surround the barn andcowsheds.
"Wow!" exclaimed Landy, who had also snatched up a wagon spoke uponwhich his eye had alighted, and seemed eager for the fray; "countin' thefour Fairfield cops, we're just sixteen good and true men. My eye! won'tShorty and Lanky Jim throw up their hands when they see what they're upagainst!"
"If they get just one look at that Benchley," said Ty in a low tone,"they'll nearly drop dead. Say, just see him strut around, would you? Hecouldn't put on more frills if he was a major-general, directing theBattle of Gettysburg. This is as good as a circus, fellows, and Iwouldn't have missed it for a heap."
"Thame here," chuckled Ted. "And I wath jutht wondering how he'd act ifthat hard faced little fighter, Thorty, would pop out of a hole and jumphim. Thix to one you'd hear that big gath-bag holler for help like acalf. I know hith breed, boyth."
Elmer did not make any remark; but if that little smile on his facestood for anything it meant that the others voiced his sentiments prettyclearly.
The surrounding of the out-buildings was now complete. Chief Benchleymade the round, stationing every man afresh as though he did not want tolose the slightest bit of credit for managing the affair. He was in hisglory, and looked as though the chance of a lifetime were now within hisgrasp.
He had reserved several men to assist him in making the search. Amongthese, two of his officers and the farmer himself were to be seen. Andas the official had scorned to place boys on guard, because of the pooropinion he had of them in general, Elmer and his chums were enabled totrail into the barn after the searching party, an opportunity they didnot neglect to avail themselves of.
Twice did the pompous official turn a questioning eye toward them, asthough he might be inclined to order them out; but on second thought hechanged his mind, and said nothing. As the scouts would have declined topay any attention to his orders, perhaps after all the Fairfield head ofpolice was wise not to attempt anything of the kind.
The Brady barns were unusually large, even for a big farm. As quite aquantity of hay was stored here, waiting until the market price rose inthe winter, extensive space was needed; though there were also three orfour immense haystacks in the rear of the buildings, as well as one ofstraw, left when the threshing machine had passed through, and the oatcrop had been attended to during the summer.
"If anybody comes across any sign of the culprits, call out, and therest of us will hurry to the spot. Just shout out the words, 'Here theyare,' and we will understand," the officer had said, as the partyentered the big barn.
Then began a scene of bustle, as men went this way and that, pokingabout for signs of those who were supposed to be in hiding.
Of course all this could not be done without causing more or lessracket; and if the two tramps were close by they must have discoveredwhat was taking p
lace early in the hunt.
Elmer kept his three scout chums with him.
"We'll hunt in a bunch, fellows," he had declared. "The Chief doesn'twant us around him, so we'll look in other places. Perhaps we can gettrace of the ones we're looking for."
"I just bet on you to figure it out, Elmer," remarked the confidentLandy.
"Shucks; Elmer could give that big bluffer all the handicap going, andthen beat him out. He don't know beans, that's what," snorted Ty,looking scornfully over to where the important party in uniform waswalking about, giving orders in a loud and consequential tone.
"Tell uth what to do, Elmer," said Ted; "and we'll poke into every rathole in th' old plathe."
"One thing's sure," the patrol leader went on, as he looked thoughtfullyabout him, "if they made up their minds to hide here, then they musthave tunneled under the hay, because that is the best of places forstaying concealed."
"I second that motion," declared Ty, nodding his head.
"And so we must keep on the watch for any signs of a hole under thehay," Elmer continued, as he ran his eye along the base of the mow closeby.
"Huh! looks to me like hunting for a needle in a haystack!" declared Ty,after they had been industriously at work for several minutes, withoutany success.
"Only one needle this time; the other's a blunt-headed pin," chuckledLandy.
Ted began to sniff the air.
"Thought I thmelled thmoke," he announced as Elmer looked at himsuspiciously.
"Well, considering what has happened here lately," remarked Ty, "seemsto me that wouldn't be so very queer. I'm just soaked with it, andexpect to smell smoke for a month of Sundays."
"But I thmell new thmoke!" Ted continued, positively.
"He's right, fellows; and I'm of the same opinion," Elmer went on tosay.
Landy gave a short whistle.
"Smoke, did you say, Elmer?" he exclaimed. "My stars, boys! what if thehoboes have set fire now to the old barn? Say, what a blaze she wouldmake, with all this hay stored here. Me to let them pigs out of the styif it happens. It would be a shame to have roast pork when they're onlypart grown."
"Do you really mean it, Elmer?" asked Ty, apparently appalled by thethought of the terrible consequences that must follow, should the pairof desperate rascals go to extremes.
"It seems to be getting stronger all the while," observed the patrolleader, "and look at Mr. Brady; he is sniffing the air right now, as ifhe didn't like it any too well. I reckon he's got the same idea I have;which is that the men are in hiding here, and being afraid that theywill be found have started a fire to cover their escape. See, Mr. Bradyis telling the Fairfield policemen his suspicions now, and you can seethat he's given him a start too."
"What a shame it will be if the barn goes, with all this hay," saidLandy.
"Oh, Mr. Brady's got it all insured, I reckon," ventured Ty. "Farmersare smart enough these days to look out for that. But it'll make a highold blaze if it gets started, I tell you, fellows."
"But won't the thilly foolth be thetting the match to their own funeralpyre?" demanded Ted.
"Not by a jugful," chuckled Landy. "Ten to one they fixed all thatbefore; and even made their old tunnel under the hay. But that smoke issure getting heavier all the time, boys; and look there, ain't that thefire yonder? It is, as sure as you live! Good-by to the old barn, andthis fine crop of hay. Say, look at it jump, will you?"