A moment more and an automobile carrying four men was speeding to the roadhouse, while Fred rode alongside.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that the other automobile was still standing in front. The birds had not yet flown.
Two of the constable’s party stayed outside to intercept the men if they should attempt to escape, while he himself, with another, entered the room. He went straight up to the pair, who looked at him angrily.
“I want you,” he said, at the same time exhibiting his badge.
As though moved by the same spring, the men jumped to their feet and rushed for the door. The constable collared the short one, but the tall man had nearly reached the door when Fred tripped him, and he went down with a crash. Before he could rise the rest were on him and in a moment both men were handcuffed.
They bundled them into the automobile and took them to the constable’s office. Fred and Teddy accompanied them on the motorcycle, their hearts beating high with exultation.
A careful search of their pockets brought to light several pawntickets. The boys scanned them eagerly.
“Here it is!” cried Fred, as he noted the date on one of them. “It’s for a watch, and it’s dated three days after the robbery at Oldtown. And here’s the number of the watch on it.”
He drew from his vest pocket a slip of paper and compared the number.
“Sure as guns!” he exclaimed delightedly. “Here’s the number, 61,284. The same one that’s on the pawn ticket.”