“Good enough. Boys, in the name of the law, I call on you to halt,” declared the constable, pompously.
“Mr. Sparr, what does this mean?” demanded Dave.
“It means that I am going to have the whole bunch of you arrested!” shouted the hotel man, harshly. “You blew up my hotel, and I can prove it! I’ve got the evidence against every one of you! I am going to have you arrested right now and sent to prison!” And he shook his fist at the boys.
“The evidence against us?” faltered Phil.
“Yes, sir, the plain, clear evidence,” went on the hotel-keeper, dramatically. “I’ve got you just where I want you. I am going to send every one of you to prison for five or ten years!”
CHAPTER XVIII
THE MEETING ON THE ROAD
There was an intense silence, following the announcement of Jason Sparr that he intended to send Dave and his chums to prison for attempting to blow up the hotel. In the meantime the hotel man and the constable got down from the seat of the covered wagon.