“What is the matter, Mr. Jennings?” asked the sheriff, respectfully, for the little man was a person of importance in that vicinity.
“That gentleman is trying to extort a forced loan, Mr. Cunningham.”
“Ha! a footpad?”
“Yes.”
The sheriff sprang to the side of the tramp, who was trying to rise, and in a trice his wrists were confined by handcuffs.
“I think I know you, Mike Frost,” he said. “You are up to your old tricks. When did you come out of Sing Sing?”
“Three weeks since,” answered the tramp, sullenly.
“They want you back there. Come along with me!”
He was assisted into the buggy, and spent that night in the lockup.
“Did he take anything from you, Carl?” asked Mr. Jennings.