So it proved, and soon Sheriff Folsom reached them, followed by Dale, Gilroy, and two men who proved to be deputies. "Just in time, I see," said the sheriff. "Seen anything of our quarry?" "Not yet," answered Mr. Paxton. After a brief conference the two parties separated again, one to come up at the rear of the lodge, and the other close to the boat landing. At the latter place rested a skiff, and among the shrubbery near by were a horse and a large lumber wagon. "They must be in the house," whispered Owen to Mr. Paxton. "Don't make a noise," was the answer. "Let the sheriff make the first move." A few minutes later Baptiste Ducrot appeared at the side door of the lodge. He looked anxiously around, and seeing nobody disappeared again. Then he and Link Axton came from the building carrying a trunk between them, and in their outer hands several bundles. Trunk and bundles were dumped into the wagon, and the two evil-doers went back into the lodge for more of their booty. "Now is our time," said the sheriff to his men. "Don't parley with them, but make 'em surrender at once." He and his men moved close to the lodge door and waited, pistols in hand. Soon Ducrot and Axton came forth again, with more bundles. "Hands up, you rascals!" shouted the sheriff, and made a show of his weapon, while the deputies followed suit. "Caught, by hemlock!" cried Link Axton. "And just when I thought everything was all right!" "Don't shoot!" gasped Baptiste Ducrot, in sudden terror. "I haf done noddings, no! Don't shoot!" And he began to beg for mercy in his own language. "Do you surrender?" demanded the sheriff. "Don't know but what I'll have to," responded Link Axton. "You've got the bulge on us. But what is it all about?" he added with an air of innocence. "We aint done no harm." "You haven't?" put in Owen. "You were going to steal these things!" "How do you know that?" "We overheard your talk yesterday." "And you are caught red-handed, Axton," put in Mr. Paxton, coming up. "I reckon this pays you up for stealing some of my timber two years ago," he continued warmly. "Didn't steal your timber, an' wasn't stealin' nuthin' now," retorted Link Axton; yet, when the sheriff brought forth two pairs of handcuffs and adjusted one pair to his wrists he was much disturbed. The second pair of handcuffs was for Baptiste Ducrot. He protested volubly, both in English and French, against being made a prisoner, but Sheriff Folsom would not listen to him. "There have been enough lodges and camps robbed in this county," he said grimly. "Reckon we'll make examples of you and Axton, and that will teach the other thieves a lesson." Under the sheriff's directions, several went into the lodge, where they found two boxes and a half-dozen other bundles tied up ready to be taken away. The things outside were brought in once more, and a man was detailed to guard the lodge until Jefferson Wilbur could be notified.