"Well, we must get hold of that tramp again," said the big man. "From what you say he said to you, he probably saw Mr. Hick in the garden too - hiding in the ditch - and that would be valuable evidence. And er - certainly the police ought to know about all this."
"Oh," said every one in dismay, thinking of Clear-Orf, and how he would say that he himself had found out everything. "And we could never, never find that tramp again!" said Larry. "He may be miles and miles away."
"I'll find him for you all right," promised the big man.
"And old Clear-Orf - that's Mr. Goon, you know -won't listen to a word we say, I'm sure," said Fatty gloomily.
"I'll see that he does," said the astonishing man, getting up. "Leave it to me. Call at your police station tomorrow at ten o'clock, will you? I'll be there and we'll finish up everything nicely."
He picked up his rod and put it over his shoulder. "A most interesting talk," he said. "Valuable to both of us, as I hope you will agree."
He strode off in the evening twilight, and the children watched him go. "Ten o'clock tomorrow at the police station," said Fatty, feeling rather uncomfortable. "Whatever's going to happen there? And how is that man going to find the tramp?"
Nobody knew. Larry looked at His watch, gave a yell and leapt to His feet. "I say - it's awfully late. We shall get into a row. Come along, quickly."
They hurried home, with Buster at their heels. "Goodbye! " they called to one another. "Ten o'clock tomorrow at the police station. Don't be late!"