When the lights came on for a moment between the first and second film Pep stared in blank surprise at a figure standing against the side wall. It was that of a police officer fully uniformed, even to the stout club usually carried. He was not ten feet away from the quartette that had made Pep so apprehensive. “It’s Mr. Vincent,” guessed Pep--“good for him!” The versatile ventriloquist it was. His extensive wardrobe had provided a disguise that cooled down the four unwelcome visitors from the start. Vincent stood like a statue where he had posted himself, as if on duty. When the lights went off he drew even nearer to the quartette, and they seemed to accept the fact that he was there for their benefit and that it would pay them to behave themselves. Vincent was a good deal surprised when someone came close to him down the aisle next to the outer wall of the building. He was almost startled when the words were whispered in his ear: “Officer, I want you to help me as soon as this film is over.” “In what way?” inquired Vincent. “The two men at the end of the front seats here--Midway crowd--I want them.” “Want them?” “Yes, I am an officer from the city--I’ll show you my credentials later. The two fellows I mention have led me a long hunt--it’s a burglary case.” “What do you want me to do?” inquired Vincent. “They will show fight, both of them, the minute their eyes light on me. You grab the second fellow. I’ll attend to the other one. Then send the usher out for more police help.” “All right,” assented Vincent, “only do all this quietly as you can. We don’t want to hurt the reputation of the show by any rough work.” “Oh, they’ll wilt when they see they’re cornered. Another word-whisper.” “Yes?” “Help me to do this job neatly and there’s a fine reward to divide.” CHAPTER XX A RICH FIND As the lights came on again the man who had spoken to Vincent moved forward so as to intercept the two end men on the second row of seats. One of them, who had arisen the moment he fixed his eyes on the officer from the city, sat down quickly. He pulled his next companion by the sleeve, who slunk down with him. All this Vincent noticed, and Pep, guessing that these actions meant something, glided to the side of the ventriloquist. “What is it, Mr. Vincent?” he inquired breathlessly. “I hardly know myself yet,” said Vincent. “I want you, my man!” spoke the city officer just here. He reached out and grabbed the slinking man by the collar. “That one also,” was added sharply, and Hal Vincent pounced upon the other man in true official style. Pep heard what he took for signal whistles from the other members of the party, whom he noticed burrowing their way through the crowd as if fearing detection themselves and anxious to get out of the way as fast as they could. “Go out and tell a couple of beach officers we need them, Pep,” spoke Vincent quickly. “This way,” he added to the New York officer, and led his prisoner into the living rooms.