“Yes, my brother-in-law has one. He’s a constable, you know, and often he’s called on t’ arrest chicken thieves, and the like. Why?”
“Well, I want to call up some officer, a deputy sheriff, or a constable, or some one like that, and have him come with us. Your brother-in-law would do all right, just so we have some one with legal authority to make arrests. Then you and I, and a few other men from around here, can raid that place as well as if we had the New York police with us.”
“Think so?” asked the farmer doubtfully.
“I’m sure of it,” replied Larry confidently. “Those tramps won’t fight back.”
“If they do, by heck! I’ve got an old musket that I can take along!” exclaimed the farmer. “I keep it to shoot chicken hawks with, but it’ll do for child-stealers jest as well. Say, young feller, I’m with you from the drop of the hat! Glad I met you. Come on, now, we’ll go see if my brother-in-law is t’ home. Nestor, his name is—Bob Nestor—and he’s strong and hearty. Let’s get a move on.”
Larry glanced once more toward the lonely house which he hoped would hold the solution of the mystery of the stolen boy. The farmer was moving off through his bean patch. There still was no sign of life about the deserted place.
Then, as Larry looked, and when he was on the verge of turning to follow Mr. Meldron, he saw a man emerge from the house. Even at that distance Larry could see that the fellow was roughly dressed. Soon he was joined by two more, who came from the place, and the three proceeded to kindle a fire on the ground.
“Look here!” called Larry to Mr. Meldron. “What do you think they’re up to now. Going to burn the house?”
“No; I don’t reckon so. Likely they’re goin’ to cook a meal. They can’t probably do much cookin’ in th’ old house, for the chimbley must be pretty well busted, and caved in.
“Yes, that’s what they’re up to,” the farmer went on, having come back to stand at Larry’s side. “See, thy’re hangin’ a gypsy kittle over th’ fire. They’re goin’ to make soup. That shows they’re goin’ t’ stay a spell, anyhow. Now’s our chance t’ get a crowd, an’ raid ’em.”