worth."

"Would the stuff make quite a bundle?" asked Andy.

"With the curios--I guess! Five pound candlesticks. Two large silver
servers. The coins were set on metal squares, and would make bulk
and weight."

"I have an idea--" began Andy. "No, let me explain first. Please listen,
sir. You will think differently about me when I tell you my story."

"Go ahead," growled his captor.

Andy recited his chase of the bear and its denouement. Then he added:

"If those two men were the burglars, they got in by way of the cellar.
They came out through the cellar window. I theorize they came down into
the cellar with their plunder. They disturbed the bear, and Big Bob went
for them. When I saw them they were empty-handed. I'll bet they dropped
their booty in their wild rush for escape."

"Eh? I hope so. Let's find out."

The man appeared to believe Andy. He released his hold on him. Just as
they came out on the front porch Andy spoke up:

"There are the circus people. They'll soon fix Mr. Bear."

A boxed wagon had driven from the road into the yard. It held six men.
The chief animal trainer jumped down from the vehicle, followed by the
head hostler. Four subordinates followed, carrying ropes, muzzles,
pikes, and one of them a stick having on its end a big round cork filled
with fine needles.

"I'm glad you've come," said Andy, running forward to meet them. "Big
Bob is in there," he explained to the trainer, pointing to the cellar.

"You're a good one, Wildwood," commended the trainer in an approving
tone. "How did you ever work it?"

Andy explained, while the trainer selected a muzzle for the bear and
armed himself with the needle-pointed device. Then he went to the
cellar door.

"Shut it quick after me," he said. "Come when I call."

Andy ran around to the broken window as soon as the trainer was inside
the cellar.

He watched the man approach Big Bob. The bear snarled, made a stand, and
showed his teeth.

One punch of the needle-pointed device across his nostrils sent him
bellowing. A second on one ear brought him to the floor. The trainer
pounced on him and adjusted the muzzle over his head. Then he deftly
whipped some hobbles on his front paws.

He yelled to his assistants. They hurried into the cellar and soon
emerged, dragging Big Bob after them.

The owner of the place had stood by watching these proceedings silently.
While the others dragged the bear to the boxed wagon the trainer
approached him.