"No matter whether he is or not. I'm middling strong myself," said the giant, with a laugh. "Get your hat, and I'll go with you, and we'll see if we can't defeat him and his plans." "I'll go, too," added Charlie, in an important tone. "You alone are able to frighten him, Charlie," said Anak, aroused. Tarbox got his hat and led the way hurriedly towards the barn. Before they reached there a sudden suspicion entered his mind and he stopped short. "How do I know but this is a trick?" he said, nervously. "You may be intending to rob me yourself." "Make your mind easy, Mr. Tarbox!" said Anak. "We don't do business in that way." "You are my enemy," said Tarbox. "Not at all. You have done me no harm. You were meaning to arrest me, to be sure, but you didn't, and I have no hard feelings against you. I will do you a good turn if you will let me, especially as this Carden is a bad fellow. He tried to kill Robert Rudd, to-night." "What, the boy rider?" "Yes. Robert caught him stealing, or trying to steal, from his locker, and this led to his discharge. He threw a rock at the boy's horse, and he was thrown." At another time Tarbox might possibly have felt rejoiced that the boy against whom he himself felt a spite had met with an accident, but now he felt too anxious about his own property to concern himself about other matters. By this time they had reached the solitary barn. Charlie got down on his knees and peered through the same crevice which Carden had used in the afternoon. "He's there!" he exclaimed in excitement, "and he's got a lighted candle." "What is he doing?" asked Tarbox in agitation. "He's digging." "He will steal my money!" ejaculated Tarbox in dismay. "There's between three and four hundred dollars hidden there." "Rather a queer savings bank, Mr. Tarbox!" said Anak, dryly. CHAPTER XXI. CATCHING A BURGLAR. Carden had not the least suspicion that he was observed. The Tarbox farm-house stood rather aloof from the village, and the barn, as we have already stated, was at some distance from the house. He worked away calmly, feeling that there was no danger of his being interfered with. At last he reached the box, and stooping lifted it complacently. Mr. Tarbox became very much agitated when he saw his hoard in the possession of the burglar. "Can't we get at him?" he asked of Anak in an agitated whisper. "No," whispered Anak. "Our best plan is to wait for him, and seize him as he leaves the barn." "But he will have my money." "Of course he will. We will catch him with the stolen property in his possession." "But it isn't safe for him to have it." "It won't be safe for him, I'm thinking," said Anak, dryly. "Don't you see if we reveal ourselves now he will blow out the candle and remain where he is, and we can't catch him in the dark. Ten to one he'll get off with the money."