“We’ll all have to go back, then, and come up in the morning,” added Julie.
So the convicts were tied to horses and two of the officers whose mounts had been chosen for this need sat in the car with the scouts. But they didn’t mind being crowded when the two policemen began telling stories of the narrow escapes they had had in the past while catching criminals.
As the cavalcade entered Freedom, Mrs. Vernon said: “After all those blood-curdling stories, I doubt if my scouts will sleep.”
It was past midnight when the hunting party returned to Freedom, and only goodness knows what time it was when all the hunters had finished telling the citizens how the convicts were captured by a few girl scouts.
Long after the scouts had retired Mrs. Vernon heard them whispering to each other. Finally she called out:
“Why don’t you girls go to sleep?”
“We can’t, Verny; we’re thinking of that reward,” said Joan.
“And we’ve spent most of it already!” laughed Julie.
“You’ll have plenty of time to plan about it, girls, for the Government—like most large bodies—moves very slowly. It may be next summer before you get the check,” said the Captain.
“Never mind; it will be ready for the Adirondacks, then.”