"Keep your eye on 'em, Tim, and at the first move, shoot!"
"Yes, sir," responded the chauffeur, showing by his looks that he would have been quite glad of an excuse for displaying his markmanship upon one or both of the prisoners.
His hands thus freed, the officer ran them deftly over the clothing of each lad from his shoulders to his knees, to assure himself they carried no weapons. The search was satisfactory.
"Throwed your guns away, I 'spose. Now for the bracelets."
He whipped out a pair of handcuffs, at sight of which Alvin recoiled with a flush of shame.
"Don't do that, please; we'll give our parole. With your pistol you are not afraid of two unarmed boys."
The appeal touched the pride of the officer, who dropped the handcuffs into the side pocket of his coat.
"Of course I'm not afeared of you, but you might try to give me the slip, if a chance should happen to come your way."
"We will not, for we have nothing to fear."
"All right. You," addressing Alvin, "will sit in front while I take your friend with me on the back seat."