"Well, well! I guess you have saved us some trouble, you boys!" He waved a hand at his partner. "Permit me to introduce self and partner. We're from Buffalo, plain clothes detectives, secret service. McPherson is my name; Westcott that of my partner. We already know yours through Mr. Rack, of Syracuse. Guess you know him. This man," pointing at Quinn, "and the other chap inside have been wanted some time for illegal coinage. After putting them under guard we will visit that old Tavern for further proofs. What's this?" "It's what that man Quinn was trying to lug off when we took him. Before that they had stolen our car--" This from Billy. "I know, I know! And you got this, did you? Pretty good!" McPherson had opened the valise, disclosing tools, dies, bars of metal and numerous coins. "We were at Midlandville. Heard of you there. Also got wind of these chaps and the old Tavern, and, prompted by Rack, we hurried along, fearing you lads might alarm them, inadvertently of course. But you have done well, remarkably well! There's a thousand reward out for them and it looks as if you four boys will have decidedly the best claim." Meantime Westcott, assisted by Feeney, who greeted the two lads effusively, carried in Quinn to join his comrade under strict guard. "Are you not entitled to that reward, Mr. McPherson?" asked Phil at length. "No, sir. Not if anyone else does more than we in apprehending them. It looks now as if you four and perhaps Feeney and his folks will be entitled to all there is in it." It may be said here that after all was over, the boys insisted that the Feeneys should share proportionately in the reward. It did Phil good to see the delight which these humble, hard working folks felt in what the third of that reward might do for them. They needed it and were glad to get it besides being grateful to our boys for being so generous. Three days later the Big Six rolled smoothly into Lannington once more. Glad indeed were the Auto Boys to see again the dear home faces and receive the sweet home greetings. "And also, and likewise," said Mr. Paul Jones, "home cooking beats the world!" A number of weeks later the boys read of Adam W. Kull being sentenced to serve seven years in prison, while Grant Coster received a sentence of two years. Thus vividly reminded of their adventures, the friends renewed a former effort to learn how Scottie had happened to appear in Lannington, their own home city. They could not, though it was evident that the dog, always even humanly fond of automobiles, had followed some car there.