The sound of a powerful machine stopping in the road came to their ears. The officer stepped out into the middle of the yard and made a megaphone of his hand.
“Come on back here, men!” he shouted.
Four burly policemen walked up the drive.
“Just keep an eye on that fellow while I have a look at this, will you?” said the plain clothes man; and he proceeded to break the string of the package, opened one end, and sniffed at the contents. Then, he closed the paper and nodded his head at the prisoner.
“Just as I thought!” he said. “I’ve caught you with the goods this time. The wagon’s outside, so you come along with us. Put the cuffs on him, Morgan!”
Then, turning to Anna’s father, he added:
“And you’d better come along, too, Mr. Kelley. Now, don’t explain; anything you say will be used against you! You can do the explaining later on. I know all about you, as it happens, anyhow. You young people will hear from us later on. I congratulate you upon your capture. I am a detective on the force. I have been working on this case for some time. You may have thought we were asleep; but we didn’t have sufficient evidence to act sooner. The fact that a couple of the men on the force were in cahoots with these boot-leggers only complicated matters. Well, there was no harm done; and you’ve covered yourselves with glory! But let me say this to you, young man: don’t ever try to shield the guilty; it doesn’t pay!”
And with this parting shot at Jack, and a hearty laugh at the boy’s make-up, he departed.
So many amazing things had happened in such a short space of time, that those who remained could only stand and gaze after the departing figure and then at each other in stupefaction. Jack was the first to come to.
“Gosh!” he exclaimed, with a gulp. “Just like that!”