If Bateato had entered into an inflexible contract with himself not to utter another syllable before the break of day at least he might have eased Phelan's mind on that score and informed him that something ominously like a patrol wagon was rounding the corner at that moment. And if the art collector had not been so keenly amused at his facile conquest of the gullible bluecoat his alert ears might have warned him to say something entirely different from this: "I'd call the wagon for you, officer, only I'm afraid these people might overpower you and get away with that trunk of pictures. You see what a nice mess they've been making of my picture gallery. Why, if I hadn't happened in to-night they would have walked off with half a million dollars' worth of paintings." "You call the wagon, Mr. Gladwin," returned Phelan, grimly. "I kin handle the lot of o' them an' ten more like them." "All right, officer, but be very careful--I shan't be long." And turning with a mocking bow to Travers Gladwin, he sauntered out into the hallway and walked into the arms of Police Captain Stone and ten reserves. CHAPTER XXXV. BATEATO KEEPS HIS PROMISE. Although the escaping thief was brushed back into the room rather rudely and Travers Gladwin cried out as he caught sight of the uniformed officer and his men, "By Jove, captain, I'm glad you've come," the consummate bluffer did not bat an eyelash or manifest the merest symptom of fear, stepping easily to one side and watching for the coming of his cue with feline alertness. For a moment Captain Stone devoted himself only to the distribution of his men, posting them at all the windows and doors. When he was satisfied that every avenue of escape was covered he turned to Phelan with the sharp query: "What's all this, Phelan?" "I caught them trying to get away with Mr. Gladwin's"---- "Yes, it was by the luckiest chance," broke in Travers Gladwin. "Is this Mr. Gladwin?" the captain stopped him, curtly. "No, the other one, captain," replied Phelan, indicating the thief; whereupon that gentleman bowed. "Why, captain, I'm--" the real Gladwin started again. "You've done well here, Phelan," the captain complimented him, ignoring the young millionaire. "Thank ye, sorr," blushed Phelan. "I should say he has done well." The thief came forward, with an approving nod toward the now ecstatic Officer 666. "If it hadn't been for him," pursued the thief, "these thieves would have carried off my pictures. I would suggest, captain, that he be properly rewarded." "Thank ye, sorr." Phelan's voice shook with gratitude. "I'll see that he gets full credit in my report," said Captain Stone stiffly. "Now, Phelan, you go to the station for the patrol wagon. I sent it back, as one of the horses threw a shoe and got a bad fall. Tell the driver to get another horse at Murphy's stable and hurry back." "Yes sorr."