But one thing did Sullivan refuse to tell, and that was the writer of the threatening letters. Simmons caused fingerprints to be taken of all the captives, and though not pretending to be an expert, knew enough of the science to be able to declare that none of them compared with the print on the letter.
It happened that Dick’s photography stood in good stead at this time, for Sullivan had destroyed the originals, and but for the photographs, there would have been no evidence.
“I take that to mean only one thing,” declared Garry. “There is no one left on whom suspicion could rest except Jean LeBlanc, and when LeBlanc is caught, I am sure you’ll find that is his fingerprint. It is probable that Sullivan knows that LeBlanc is still free, and thinks that by keeping silent he may aid his confederate in crime to some degree. Now we seem to have this gang pretty well rounded up. Only Jean and Baptiste are at large, and I’m hoping that they will soon be under lock and key. That pair are not fit to be free and are a menace to any community where they may be located.”
Later on in the afternoon, as they sat about relaxing after their strenuous adventures, the ’phone rang and Aunt Abbie said that Dick was wanted. He came back a few moments later and remarked:
“Cut down that list of our enemies to one. The sheriff says he sent out word to all the authorities in the county last night, and one caught Baptiste this morning at the railroad station. Wonder if there isn’t some way we can get Jean? That would sure be a complete round-up then.”
“I don’t know what we can do,” said Garry. “Only thing to do is to be vigilant every moment and wait for him to try some trick, as he undoubtedly will. Then we can muster a posse if necessary and run him down. He’s such a slippery customer, though, and seems to find out what’s going on so quickly, that now his whole gang is arrested, he’ll probably seek safety for a time in hiding.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” said Phil. “I’ve got a strong hunch that he’ll be coming after our scalps pretty soon. We’ve been lucky enough so far to thwart him in every nefarious move that he has made.”
“Well, time alone will tell that,” said Garry. As he spoke, there came a knock at the door, and the boys nearly fell off their chairs when they heard Aunt Abbie say in the high-pitched voice that she used when excited:
“Well, great land o’ Goshen. Nate Webster! I haven’t seen you for years!”