I said, “I’m Sherlock Nobody Holmes, the boy detective. This is my trusty pal, Scout Harris. We’re on our way to kidnap Major Grumpy in this van and hold him until he gives up one thousand dollars to the Boy Scouts of America. Can you tell us where we can buy a couple of spark plugs?” XXVI—TO THE RESCUE All of a sudden the plot grew thicker. I thought we’d have to thin it with gasoline, it grew so thick. For a few minutes Pee-wee and I just stood there wondering what had become of Brent and laughing at the constable who was holding his axe in one hand and our can opener in the other, and all the people stood around staring at us as if they didn’t know what to make of us. The constable said, “I daon’t like the looks uv this here, I don’t. You allowed there was somebody in that van. Now whar is he?” I said, “I didn’t allow anything, I just didn’t _deny_ anything. What’s the use of blaming us because you half chopped the van to pieces? All you’ve got is a can opener—we should worry. You seem to trust the dog; if you want to ask any questions you’d better ask _him_. The only person he knows how to track is Eliza, because that’s his business.“ “He’s on the stage,” Pee-wee piped up. “You mean he’s in the van,” I said. The constable said, “Wall, I reckon you youngsters’d better tell yer story ter Justice Cummins. It’s mighty funny two young boys travelin’ by theirselves in a big van.” “I’ll recount our adventures to him,” Pee-wee piped up. “Where is he?” For about half a minute the constable just stood there staring at us. I guess he didn’t know what he’d better do. All the rest of the people stood around, staring. I guess it was the biggest thing that ever happened in Barrow’s Homestead. Inside the van a couple of men were holding the bloodhound by the collar. Some excitement. All of a sudden, zip goes the fillum, along the road came an auto, pell-mell! It came through the village from the direction we were going in. “Look!” Pee-wee said. “Look who’s in it; it’s Harry; who’s that with him?” Before I had a chance to say anything, the car was close up to us and Harry and another person were stepping out. Harry was laughing all over his face, but he was in a terrible hurry, I could see that. I gave one look at the person who was with him and began to roar. “It’s—it’s Brent—Gaylong,” Pee-wee whispered. I said, “Don’t make me laugh any harder or I’ll die of shock.”