Among the first to approach Gilmore and the boys as they stepped from the machines was the red-faced deputy sheriff who had received Stroup’s fistic attention earlier in the day. He approached the boys swaggeringly but hesitated a moment when he saw Gilmore’s uniform. However, he kept his ground and glared at the boys angrily.
“Where did you get this machine?” he demanded, pointing to the Ann.
“Where did you get those black eyes and that red nose?” returned Carl. “You look as if somebody had been taking a punch at you!”
The deputy stroked the injured members sympathetically and took a step toward the boy. Gilmore blocked his passage.
“Perhaps you can tell me!” shouted the deputy.
“Tell you what?” asked Gilmore.
“Where these school-boys got this machine. Only a few hours ago I delivered it to the owners from whom it had been stolen.”
“Yes, you did!” replied Ben. “You delivered it to a couple of thieving Japs! That’s what you did!”
“Where is the owner of the machine now?” asked Gilmore.
“You ought to know if you got the machine of him,” returned the deputy.