HKB
The lithe limbs of the boys gave them an advantage over their heavier companions, and they were soon on the heels of the tramps, who turned snarling and faced them.
"Keep off or I'll club the life out of you," shouted one, whom they recognized as the man with the scar.
"No you won't," cried Bobby, defiantly.
"We want the things you stole from us," sang out Fred.
"Jail for yours!" Mouser shouted.
They circled round the men, thus holding them in check, and in another moment Mr. Wharton and the constable had come up and each grabbed one of the men by the collar. At the sight of the constable's star, the other quickly wilted.
The officer slipped handcuffs on them all and pushed them into the ear, while the boys crowded in as best they could, two of them standing on the running-board. In triumph, they went back to town and the men were placed in jail.
First they were searched, and, greatly to the boys' delight, pawn tickets were found that accounted for all the articles that had been stolen from them. The money of course was gone, but the boys cared little for that, as long as they were sure that they could get back their cherished personal possessions.
"We're some demon thief catchers, all right," chuckled Mouser.
"He would call me red-head, would he?" grinned Fred, referring to the scar-faced tramp.
"It means good luck for us, fellows," declared Bobby. "Now, I'm sure we're going to down Belden."