iption.

They made their way back, and going up the stairs, went at once to the
room. Here the police officer looked about and then asked a few
perfunctory questions of the boys.

"I guess you fellows better wait here till the lieutenant comes," he
said finally.

"Does that mean we are under arrest?" queried Garry.

"No indeed, just a formality. You see that is what I have to do in all
cases like this, but you can tell your story to the lieutenant."

They waited a few minutes and then the sound of tramping feet was heard
on the stairs and the lieutenant of the police force entered the room
followed by a man carrying a black bag, evidently a doctor and probably
the coroner.

The police officer cast a scrutinizing look over the room and then waved
the doctor to make his examination. This took only a few minutes.

"What do you find Doc?" asked the officer familiarly.

"This man was stabbed or cut some time ago, probably two or three weeks,
but the cause of his death seems to be heart failure, induced no doubt
by lack of care, improper nourishment, and a severe shock that finished
him off with his organically weak heart."

"What do you mean, stabbed or cut, accidentally?" asked the officer
gruffly.

"Not accidentally, but by a blow inflicted by someone," returned the
doctor.

"What do you chaps know about this?" he asked, turning suddenly on the
three boys. Garry opened his mouth to answer.

"We----"

"Wait till I get through talking before you are spoken to. What are you
chaps, runaways, and where did you get those clothes, steal 'em?"

A dark flush crept up under Garry's ears.

"Look here officer, you keep a civil tongue in your head, with all due
respect to your rank and authority, and before we answer any questions,
just what is our status now?" he said.

"If you mean, are you under arrest, you are!"

CHAPTER III.

IN THE HANDS OF THE LAW.

Arrested!

Both Dick and Phil started to make a vociferous protest but were quickly
silenced by Garry.

"All right, officer. But we answer no more of your questions and ask to
be taken immediately to the station and the services of a lawyer
procured for us," said Garry firmly.

"Huh, pretty smart youngsters, aren't you. Well, let me tell you one
thing, laddy buck. You'll answer any questions I ask of you and answer
them quick. Now who are you and how were you in this room at the time
this man died--or was killed," said the officer in a threatenin