him," volunteered Dick.

"Not a bit of use, my boy. I'd only be wasting my time. You've seen your
last of that fellow around here. But now, another matter. One of your
mates told me, Prescott, that you had uncovered a lot of plunder here in
the cabin."

"Yes, sir; we did," Dick admitted.

"Where is it?" questioned the constable.

Dick started toward the new hiding place, then halted, turning.

"May I ask, Mr. Dock, why you want to know?"

"Because," replied the constable promptly, "as an officer of the law I
want to take that plunder in charge. In turn I'll hand it over to the
Gridley police."

"Oh, all right, sir."

Dick went to the hiding place, bringing forth all the plunder, including
his own watch and his mother's fan.

"You'll give us a receipt for these articles, won't you, Mr. Dock?"

"Certainly, if you want one," nodded the constable. "Just place the
stuff on the table, and I'll list it."

This was done, and Constable Dock wrote out a receipt in due form, which
he handed to young Prescott.

"And now I'll be off and away," said the constable, rising and pulling
on a heavy, short hunting coat. "I'll telephone to the Gridley police,
of course. You won't see the rascal again. Rest easy on that score."

"I hope we won't see him," muttered Dave, as the boys stood outside the
cabin watching the departing officers.

"If we do we'll get out of it better than Mr. Fits does, anyway," half
boasted Dick.

CHAPTER XVIII

YOUNG MR. COME-BACK & CO.

"Say, you fellows----" began Hen, stepping out and joining Dick & Co.

All six turned to gaze at Dutcher. Then they looked at each other, the
same thought in six minds. It was Dick who spoke:

"Hen, we came near overlooking the fact that this is your chance to get
back to your friends. Get on your coat, your cap and mittens, and----"

"Whatcher talking about?" demanded Dutcher, looking almost startled.

"Hey! Mr. Dock!" bellowed Dave, using his hands as a megaphone.

The rather distant constable turned to look back.

"Please wait! There's a boy to go with you," Dave called.

"A-a-a-ll right," the answer came back.

"Hurry, Hen," Dick advised.

"But--but I don't want to go," protested Hen.

"You'd better," Dick advised him. "We housed you while it was necessary,
but now there's a chance to get back to your uncle's, so you may as well
go."

"I don't want----"

"Never mind about that," Dick continued firmly. "You'll be better off at
your