CHAPTER XXIX
THE CAPTURE
Paul knew where that bag was.
By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it justthen. 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 puthis hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed whatit must be.
What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for themissing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If someone cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common causeagainst the ruffians?
Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paulthought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if hishands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up thebag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men'sanger.
But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemedready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp withhim.
"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 itwarm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I getback. I wanter see the fun, you understand."
"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road andguv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. Shejest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed.
"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll havea sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on hisknees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together.
"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was whenI throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let meloose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sureto find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, surethey will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. Youwouldn'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 thebag, 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 himup any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glowof the lamp further up the road.
And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became awarethat something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash.
Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with thathorrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under theimpression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dimlight, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison.
Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of reliefthat they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers.Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, butgave utterance to no sound.
He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then heunderstood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol mustbe in attendance.
Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward aliving being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he waswont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school,took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy introuble.
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 fromhearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, whohad not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or anexperienced 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 plungeforward must send them full upon his back.
Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash justthen; 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 ofbrush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making anyeffective use of the weapons Nature gave him.
He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanchestruck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tacklegot his man.
Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The troublewas Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashingquickly 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 youfollow me!"
Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patterof 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!" shrilledTed, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hoveringover 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, squirmedfree.
But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whicheverway he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh movingfigures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hidingbehind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him.
Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, helddown by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be theseadvancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager tohave 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 tellthe voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him tosurrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terribleconditions.
Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of theshock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did notgo 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 ofa 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 thecar was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastenedback. 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 himto keep him quiet.
When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling withthe taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for theother was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone thosehe 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 wereallowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret,while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each oneof the Boy Scouts.
"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on myway to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, andcreeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bagnow, 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 thearticle in question, which he delivered to the officer.
From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought topurloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contentsaway.
"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. Theywere tak
ing these things to Solus, who had written them that he hadsecured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So yousee, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with thisit must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You'relucky 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 takeit to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up againstPaul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treatedme. 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 squirmto just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, afterall," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving.
As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believedthey were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than thatsuch a wonder should come about.
"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's athird 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 severalof you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of therope, 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 littleWillie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse bythe mill pond.
"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked thegentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road.
"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'llsoon be off."
"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don'tknow how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lampsput 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 ofSol Smithers came plainly to them.
"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' downthe 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 theworse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Washand Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the sternvoice of Mr. Pender.
Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer anyresistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later thatone man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperatecharacters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late thento 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 whohad found him in the woods had lain him down.
And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared thatbecause Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all hisassumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case totrial, as he could.
After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidencehe needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Thenthey 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 Paulagain took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, forthey were miles away from home.