“I tell you those young fellows were up here in their boat—I seen ’em! And there were five of them—too many for me to stop. They went into the barn, two of them, while the other three watched outside. And they got away with the box. I seen ’em!”
Frank was startled by the things this fellow Marmette was telling. Then, he had really seen them! He had known they were there—had seen them go into the barn—else how would he have known they were five?
What would the chief think now? But what was the use of worrying about it? Frank knew where the jewels were buried, under the grape arbor, and it would be an easy matter to recover the metal box just as soon as these fellows were taken prisoner.
“You’re lying, Marmette! You can’t pull that stuff on us. We’ll put him aboard, fellows, and throw him in. Get that other rope ready. Is everything ready to go?”
The leader was preparing to settle matters for Jed Marmette.
“Throw up your hands—all of you!”
Into the small circle cast by the lantern’s light stepped the chief of police, his revolver drawn. The other police were directly behind him, all with drawn weapons. It had been done so quickly that even Frank, behind them, did not realize that the chief had given his signal to act.
The four conspirators turned at the sound of the voice. The fellow with the lantern made a move toward the boat, still holding the light.
“Halt! Stand where you are or I’ll fire!” commanded Chief Berry. The fellow stood still. “Now, get your hands up, all of you!”
This command was obeyed.