“An officer of the law, and I demand that you surrender,” shouted Constable Peabody, pompously.
“Boys, we must skip,” whispered the tramp called Stump. “If we don’t we’re sure to do time.”
“Are you going to open up or not?” demanded the constable.
To this there was no answer.
“Jim, I reckon you had better try your strength,” went on the officer.
The big lumberman was only too willing. He put his shoulder to the door and it went in with a crash.
“Now come out of that, one at a time,” sang out the constable. “And remember, we are ten to three, so it won’t do you any good to fight.”
“Are there ten o’ ’em?” gasped Noxy.
“Shouldn’t wonder,” growled Stump. “That feller who was here before must have told the sheriff. Say, wot are we goin’ to do?”
“Hang me if I know.”