Mr. and Mrs. Manley watched the scene with happy smiles. They were parents of children almost grown, but there were no younger people in that room than those two. Teddy walked to the middle of the floor. “Ladies and gentlemen!” he exclaimed pompously. “The dance is about to begin! Orchestra, are you all ready?” “All set, Teddy!” “We’re ready!” “We can do music when you say yes!” “Then choose your partners!” There was a wild rush. From the orchestra burst forth a strange medley of sounds. Heavy shoes shuffled over the floor. Norine, surrounded by eager punchers, laughed with delight. Just then the outer door burst suddenly open. There was a quick shout. The music stopped in a harsh discord. All eyes were focused upon the entrance. Leaning against the jamb, panting brokenly, his clothes covered with dust, stood Bug Eye. He looked around him wearily. “Boys,” he gasped, “I’ve been robbed! The flivver’s gone! A gang of rustlers held me up! I had to walk for miles to get here! The thieves--they took the flivver, dresses, and everything, and left me flat! An’, by golly, I know who done it, too!” CHAPTER XVII PURSUIT Slowly the import of what Bug Eye had said was realized by every one in the Manleys’ living room. Teddy ran forward. Roy was not a moment behind him. “Sit down here, Bug Eye!” the younger boy cried, thrusting a chair toward the swaying man. With a gasp of relief, Bug Eye sank into it. “I’m sure some tired,” he declared slowly, “_and_ thirsty! If I could have--” “Just a second!” Roy hurried to the pitcher of water which stood on a table in a corner. “Here! Take it easy now. There’s ice in it.” Bug Eye drank in great gulps, grunting with satisfaction. When he had finished he leaned back in his chair and looked at the ring of anxious faces. Even the orchestra had deserted its post and stood with the others, eagerly waiting for the story of the robbery. “Are you hurt at all, Bug Eye?” Mr. Manley asked. “Anything we can get you?” “No, I’m O. K. now, thanks,” the man answered. “I was just thirsty and winded. Why, those double-distilled, knock-kneed, ornery bunch of tin mule-stealers, drat their hides, made me walk all the way from Sanborn’s Point!” “He’s all right,” Teddy said to Roy, with a grin. “The same old Bug Eye! Listen to him rave!” Having gotten some of the accumulated feeling out of his system, the puncher ended with a vigorous “whoosh!” and started his story. “Well, when the boss got your message,” he said, nodding toward Nell and Ethel, “he told me to get set for a trip to the X Bar X. So I filled the ole puddle-jumper up with oil, gas, an’ water. Long about four o’clock the boss gives me two boxes an’ tells me to treat ’em careful. Roy, hand me that pitcher again, will you?” The young fellow complied, and after another drink Bug Eye went on: