In a little while the patrol vehicle dashed up with a clanging of the gong, and, through the great crowd that almost instantly gathered, Roy followed the two officers and their prisoners into the wagon. They were soon at the station house.
"How do I know but what you're all of one gang?" asked the sergeant, when Roy had told his story, while the other two remained obstinately silent.
"If you will telephone for Mr. Ketchum he will identify me."
The name produced an instant effect, for Mr. Ketchum was a lawyer well known in police circles, as he prosecuted many criminals.
The sergeant telephoned, and, in a short time, came the answer from Mr. Ketchum's home that he would come to the station and identify Roy.
He did so, and the sergeant admitted his mistake.
"I'll just lock these two up," he said, indicating Mr. Annister and Wakely.
"You're not going to lock me up, are you?" asked Caleb Annister, who seemed to lose all courage as he saw the way matters were going. "You're not going to prosecute me, are you, Roy Bradner? I'll make restitution! I'll pay it all back!"
"Then you confess you swindled this boy, and his father?" asked Mr. Ketchum quickly.
"I—er—I won't say anything," replied the other sullenly, as he saw the mistake he had made.