"What's the matter?" he cried. Then his light flashed on the two prostrate lads, and he understood without asking any further questions.
"Get up!" he cried, seizing Sam by the back of his neck, and yanking him to his feet. Ned arose, and secured a better grip on the sneaking lad.
"What's up?" demanded Tom, and Ned explained, following it by the question:
"See any more of 'em?"
"No, I guess he was here all alone," replied the young inventor. "What do you mean by sneaking around here this time of night?" he demanded of the captive.
"Don't you wish you knew?" was Sam's answer, with a leer. He realized that he had a certain advantage.
"You'd better tell before I turn you over to the police!" said Tom, sternly.
"You—you wouldn't do that; would you?" and Sam's voice that had been bold, became shaky.
"You were trespassing on our property, and that's against the law," declared Tom. "We have signs posted, warning people to keep off."
"I didn't mean any harm," whined Sam.