CHAPTER XV.
THE LODGING-HOUSE BATTLE.
"What aire ye goin' ter do with ther blamed thing, now yer got it?" asked Bud, as they sped across the Eads Bridge into St. Louis.
"I haven't made up my mind yet. It certainly doesn't belong in this town, and if we use it here we will have to get a local license."
"Jumpin' sand hills, yer not goin' ter run it yere?"
"Why not?"
"Whoever owns it is li'ble ter come erlong some day, an—"
"Then I'll give it to him, if he can prove it is his, but I don't think it will ever be claimed."
"How's that?"
"Because the owner is a thief, and if he finds it is in the hands of an officer he will let it go rather than face an investigation. Besides, I need it."