"That remains to be proven. He may have had to skin out while we were watching the house. If he was arrested we should have heard it before this."
"That isn't certain; none of the gang have showed up yet, and—— Hello! Who is this?"
Jet looked toward the road and there saw the form of a man coming cautiously up the lane as if trying to avoid observation from those in the house.
Bob and Barker were on their feet in an instant both acting ill at ease, until a low, peculiar whistle was heard, which the latter answered in the same manner, and then said to his companion in a tone of relief:
"Now we shall hear the whole story."
"Who is it?"
"Sam, I reckon; yes it is," and Jabe advanced to seize the new-comer by the hand.
"Well?" Bob asked, as if impatient to hear the news.
"We're cornered, or at least poor Joe is. We did all we could, and the result is that I've left the other fellows in jail on the charge of resisting an officer."
Then Sam went on to tell of Jet's appearing in town with his prisoner, and the remainder of the story which is already known.