“If this is a regular arrest, by a regular officer we certainly will come along peaceably,” replied Jerry. “But who makes the charge?”
“That I can’t tell ye. I got my authority from Judge Amos Blackford. Ye’ll have t’ appear before him. It were him as were telephoned t’, an’ he passed it on t’ me.”
“And you really have the authority to arrest us?” asked Ned, still doubting.
“There’s th’ warrant, sworn t’, all reg’lar an’ in due form, according t’ law,” said the constable, pulling out a paper with a flourish. “Ye kin look at it.”
Jerry read it quickly. It was merely a short form of bench warrant, “sworn to on information and belief,” wherein the judge himself appeared as the accuser, the real party’s name not being mentioned.
“If ye don’t believe that, ye kin ask Jake an’ Sim here if I ain’t th’ regular constable fer this township,” added Mr. Snook proudly.
“That’s what he is!” chorused the two farm hands.
“Well, then I suppose we will have to go with you,” admitted Jerry, “though I don’t understand it. Come along, boys. Do you want to ride with us?” he asked, turning to the two farm hands and the constable.
“Not for me,” spoke Sim, and Jake, too, shook his head. “I wouldn’t ride in one of them gasolene wagons fer a month’s wages,” added Sim.
“Then I guess we can find room for you, Mr. Snook,” went on Jerry. “That is if you’re not afraid of the machine, and don’t imagine that such desperate characters as we are will do away with you.”