“What on earth brings you two kiddies here?” said the Tramp.
It was very comforting to hear his cheery voice. The Cubs each got hold of one of his hands.
“Oh, sir,” said Hugh, “we are in the middle of such an awful adventure.”
“And you want to drag me into it?” said the Tramp.
“Yes,” said David, “but it won’t be long before they meet at the cross-roads. We want to tell you all the story, and then you will know what to do.”
“Fire ahead then,” said the Tramp.
David quickly told all they had done, seen, and heard.
As he reached the part about the conspiracy in the cowhouse, the Tramp started.
“What,” he said, with sudden feverish interest, “a gang of what?”
“Forgers,” said David, dwelling with an enjoyable thrill of horror on the word.