“Hold on there! Stop! We want you!” cried Luke.
“Neale! Uncle Rufus! Come around to the front!” cried Hal, realizing that the two on guard would know nothing of this frontal escape.
“Stop, or I’ll shoot!” ordered Luke.
For a few seconds more the midnight visitors sped on. Hal was racing after them, and around the house could be heard coming Neale and Uncle Rufus.
Then the three boys and Uncle Rufus sprang upon the midnight intruders and bore them to the ground.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE WHITE STAR
The capture of the two men took place in a cleared spot in the yard around the Corner House, a place well illuminated by the brilliant moonlight. So every move of the suspects was plain to be seen.
Neale gave a gasp as he saw Agnes emerging from the door under the porch. Hearing the commotion in the cellar when the pursuit of the two intruders had begun, she had dashed down the stairs and followed as quickly as possible in their wake.
From the house now came Ruth and Nalbro, with Mrs. MacCall and Linda. Ruth caught sight of the man who had first fallen. He was just then starting to rise.
“Oh, Luke!” she cried, “don’t shoot him. Please don’t!”