“That’s a lot of money,” said Phil hopefully. “Maybe that’s all they were able to grab.”

Here there was a snicker from one of the captured thieves.

The chief whirled about like a flash.

“What are you laughing at?” he demanded angrily.

CHAPTER III
In Big Figures

The man glared at him sullenly.

“Aw nuttin’,” he snarled. “Can’t a guy even laugh widout you bulls buttin’ in?”

“Don’t get gay now,” warned the chief. “It’ll be easier for you to tell me now than it will when I get you alone with me in the police station.”

This covert hint of a “third degree” was not wholly lost on the thief, who mulled it over in his mind.

“Come across now,” prodded the chief, seeing that he was wavering.