“An’ three on this side,” came from another. “There must be ten o’ ’em after all. Boys, our goose is cooked.” “Are you coming out, or have we got to fire on you?” continued Constable Peabody. “I’ll give ’em a dose of buckshot,” put in Joel Runnell, although he had no idea of firing for the present. “That’s it,” sang out Joe, who was likewise fooling. “No! no! don’t shoot!” howled Stump, who was the most cowardly of the trio. “Don’t shoot!” “Will you come out?” “Yes.” “Then come, and put your hands over your head.” Looking decidedly sheepish the tramp marched out of the house, holding both hands over his head. In a moment Constable Peabody was behind him and had the rascal handcuffed. “Now you other fellows come out, too,” said the officer. “One at a time, and with your hands up. If you try any funny work I’ll order my men to fire.” There was a pause for a moment and then Noxy slouched out. He was quickly followed by Muley, who looked as if he wanted very much to run away. But the tramps were given no chance to escape, and soon all were tightly handcuffed. “Well, how do you like the situation?” asked Joe, as he faced Muley. “Can’t you tell me what time it is?” The tramp looked at the young hunter and then fell back a step. “You!” he gasped. “I say, can’t you tell me what time it is? If you’ll remember, you have my watch and chain.” “Say dis beats de nation,” murmured Muley. “Did youse fellers follow us up?” “We did.” “What have you done with my brother’s watch?” asked Harry. “I ain’t got de watch,” growled the tramp. But later on, when he was searched, the watch and chain were found in his pocket, he having no chance to sell or pawn the articles. While this talk was going on Constable Peabody was questioning Stump and Noxy about what had been done to Ike Slosson. At first neither of the tramps wanted to talk, but at last Stump confessed that they had gotten the old man away from home by delivering to him a bogus telegram, stating that a rich relative had died in Springfield and that there was much money awaiting him. The hermit had been just simple-minded enough to go away, and as soon as he was gone they had taken possession of his house, where they had expected to remain until it was time for Slosson to get back. “Well, you’ll not stay here any longer,” said Constable Peabody, grimly. “You’ll spend a good part of the future in the lockup, if I know anything about it.” “I reckon I missed it when I took dat young man’s watch an’ chain,” said Muley, with a hitch of his shoulders. “But I never t’ought he’d follow us like dis, never.”