“All he needs is to get on the track,” said Tom. “He can do anything, only he never does it according to rules. Shoots a woodchuck with a bow and arrow and wants the archery badge! Can you beat that? He’ll land on his feet yet. Just at present the cruel world is against him.”
“The sign of the four got him,” said Brent.
Tom laughed. “It’s the only way to get a kid like that.”
“Some jewelry, ney?” said Brent, holding the gorgeous pin at length and contemplating it critically. “Well, this is our first treasure—gold and diamonds. We’ve done pretty well so far, for beginners. We’re pretty good bandits anyway. When they see us they throw down their jewels. Do you hear a sound, or is it the wind?
Sounds to me like⸺ What the dickens! Listen—shh!”
“I guess it’s nothing,” Tom said wearily.
“Do you suppose we’d be able to get a little real rest if we moved to the Bronx?” Brent asked. “There’s too much doing up here. My idea of⸺ Listen! No, honest, listen.”
As he spoke there was a sound of rustling leaves or bushes disturbed. Tom quickly opened the door and immediately there was the sound of running.
“You don’t suppose that kid is back?” Brent said.
“I’ll take him home by the collar if he is,” said Tom.