After all the other members of the gang had been captured Trim had made up his mind that for his own satisfaction[Pg 2] he would undertake to put Miller behind the bars.
When he returned from an all-night chase after the last of the robbers, he told the chief of police that if his local detectives would make an effort to find in which direction Miller had gone he, Trim, would undertake to give chase and bring the fellow to justice.
The chief had willingly consented to this plan and on the following morning Trim called at headquarters to learn what progress had been made.
After a long sleep the boy felt as fresh and active as ever and eager to begin work. It therefore made him impatient when the chief sneered at his confidence in his ability to catch Miller.
“I’ve heard of the great American game of poker,” remarked the chief, “but I have never played it, so I won’t try to talk about bluffing again.
“What I mean to say is that while we all admire your courage and shrewdness and while we are willing to admit that you’ve done the colony a great service I must say that you are now undertaking something that is beyond your powers.
“It would be a more sensible thing for you to drop it entirely. Miller won’t trouble us again and besides that——”
The chief paused and Trim said:
“Speak up, chief, you needn’t be afraid of hurting my feelings.”
“Well, then, you Americans think that you’re about as smart a nation as there is in the world, and that you can do everything.