"A leather bag—yes, go on, Frank! Did you open it, boy?" queried the other.
"I did, and showed the contents to Lanky here, or rather told him what it held. It was half full of watches and jewelry, sir!"
"Good! Great! You've done a big thing to-night, boys, if you've recovered all that stolen property. Where did you put the leather bag, Frank; hide it in the bushes where it could be found again when wanted?" asked the police officer.
"No sir, I chucked it back again under the seat," replied the boy, composedly.
Chief Hogg began a hurried search. He even held the lantern back of the buggy to assist him in looking over the field.
"That was a very unwise move on your part, boy. The bag is gone!" he declared.
Lanky awoke to life at that.
"Didn't I say I felt somebody grab my shins, Frank? Mebbe you'll believe me next time, and not think I'm getting daffy!" he cried out, triumphantly; as if he considered the question of his veracity of more account than a dozen leather bags, no matter if they contained untold treasure.
"Do you mean the bag has been taken out of the buggy; that some one came behind and swiped it?" asked Frank, curiously.
"Just what happened as sure as you live. This is certainly most exasperating, to be so near a haul and get left. One of the rascals must have run after you, and still thinking you were officers, managed to get a grip on the bag. I'm disappointed in you boys. I began to hope you'd taken a fall out of those robbers. But go on in town, and leave the rig for me," the chief went on.