The detective looked nonplused. Before he had time to think of any more questions, a sanctimonious voice sounded from the path behind the little group.
“Behold the wicked man who diggeth a pit and falleth into it himself. Look’s as if you’d got him this time, gents.”
Dick loosened his grip on Jellison and sprang to his feet. The ruddy face of the Reverend Jeremy Pennyfeather grinned at him from a little distance. His eyes were twinkling shrewdly, and he did not look quite so pious as he had that morning.
“Well!” Dick remarked. “Are you another detective?”
The fellow laughed.
“Guessed right the first crack, my friend,” he returned easily. “I was sent out by Mr. Frank Merriwell to keep watch of this here gent.”
He indicated the sullen, lowering Jellison, who had raised himself to a sitting posture.
“Looks like you boys had saved me a lot of trouble. Caught him with the goods, didn’t you?”
Dick nodded.
“Yes, and I hope he gets the biggest penalty that can be imposed,” he said sternly. “He’s pretty near ruined one man’s life.”