“Oh,” said the policeman, with a little laugh. “Excuse me. But I thought somebody was trying to catch a boy in a trap.” “Well,” laughed Teddy, “I was caught all right. But the trap sure works. That door fell shut as soon as I touched the bait.” “I hope it happens that way when the deer goes in,” said Joe. “It will,” declared Mr. Crispen. It did not take long to re-set the trap. Policeman Robbin watched for a while and then, jumping back over the fence, went on duty again. “Well, we can leave now,” said the cobbler as he gave a last look all around the trap. “In the morning when you boys come here, you will find another sort of captive than Teddy in the trap.” “Hadn’t you better come here with us?” suggested Teddy. “If we catch the deer, you will know better how to handle him than we will.” “Yes, I’m an old hand with deer,” said Mr. Crispen. “I used to trap them out West. I had two or three for pets until they grew so big they were troublesome. Yes, I’ll come here with you. Stop at my house when you come to look in the trap. I’ll join you.” Mr. Crispen’s house was next door to his shop. “We’ll be here early,” warned Dick. “Yes, I expect you’ll want to see the deer in the trap. Well, you can’t come any too early for me. I never sleep late. Just ring my bell and I’ll be with you.” Leaving the trap in Mrs. Traddle’s garden, the boys and the cobbler started for their homes. In front of the candy store Teddy said: “I feel sort of thirsty, fellows, after being caught in the trap. I’ll treat to soda if you want some.” “Why not?” asked Dick. “You can’t scare me off!” laughed Joe. Mr. Crispen had hurried off down the street, not staying for the soda treat. But the three boys went inside and Mrs. Traddle came out to wait on them. “Lemon soda,” ordered Joe. “Sarsaparilla,” was Dick’s choice. “I think I’ll have a root beer,” said Teddy. “What’s that?” cried the deaf old lady. “You are going to give a cheer? Mercy me! Oh, I know. It’s because you have caught the deer. Well, go on and cheer, if you like. I guess I can stand it if you don’t cheer too loud.” “No, no,” said Teddy laughing. “I said I wanted a ROOT BEER soda.” “Oh, root beer. Why didn’t you say so at first?” grumbled Mrs. Traddle. After drinking their sodas the boys went home. They were up early next morning, meeting at Teddy’s house. They hurried to the home of the shoemaker where Mr. Crispen soon joined them. “I wonder if we’ve caught the deer,” mused Teddy as they went on to the trap in Mrs. Traddle’s garden. “You will find the deer in my trap,” said the cobbler confidently. They soon were in sight of it. And one look was enough to tell them some captive was inside the trap. For there was a sound of banging horns, trampling feet and dull thuds. The trap was swaying from side to side. “We’ve caught the deer!” cried Teddy leaping over the fence. CHAPTER XV ESCAPE