"It's all right!" he said. "I told the Mayor we had passed two men on the Severn bridge whom we identified as those who picked our pockets, Wednesday evening, in Carvel Hall--and gave him the necessary descriptions. He recognized the team as one of 'Cheney's Best,' and will have the entire police force--which consists of four men--waiting at the bridge on the Annapolis side." He looked at his watch. "They are there, now, so we can turn the prisoners loose." Croyden and Macloud resumed their revolvers, and returned to the tent--to be greeted with a volley of profanity which, for fluency and vocabulary, was distinctly marvelous. Gradually, it died away--for want of breath and words. "Choice! Choice!" said Croyden. "In the cuss line, you two are the real thing. Why didn't you open up sooner?--you shouldn't hide such proficiency from an admiring world." Whereat it flowed forth afresh from Hook-nose. Bald-head, however, remained quiet, and there was a faint twinkle in his eyes, as though he caught the humor of the situation. They were severely cramped, and in considerable pain, but their condition was not likely to be benefited by swearing at their captors. "Just listen to him!" said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start. "Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you'll be quiet a moment, like your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you'll not be averse to hear.... So, that's better. We're about to release you--let you go free; it's too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?... Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves--you'll, likely, find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes." Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head grinned broadly. "Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your carriage! Forward, march!" And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in. "We wish you a very good day!" said Croyden. "Drive on, please!" XI ELAINE CAVENDISH "May we have seen the last of you!" said Macloud, as the buggy disappeared among the trees; "and may the police provide for you in future." "And while you're about it," said Croyden, "you might pray that we find the treasure--it would be quite as effective." He glanced at his watch. "It's four o'clock. Now, to resume where those rogues interrupted us. We had the jewels located, somewhere, within a radius of fifty feet. They must be, according to our theory, either on the bank or in the Bay. We can't go at the water without a boat. Shall we tackle the land at once? or go to town and procure a boat, and be ready for either in the morning." "I have an idea," said Macloud. "Don't let it go to waste, old man, let's have it!" Croyden encouraged.