with fright
and humiliation."

"Whew!" was the way Andy relieved his pent-up feelings at this point;
while his cousin went on asking questions.

"Then Cadger must have seen the robbers, if they captured him; how about
that, Chief?" he demanded, eagerly; for the excitement was beginning to
take hold of him.

"That's right, he did, and was able to give us more or less
information," the police officer continued. "Of course as soon as Jarvie
saw what had happened he knew it was a case for me to handle, and so he
ran across to Headquarters; and in a jiffy we had thrown a cordon of
police around the building to keep out the curious citizens who would
have no business inside, and spoil any trace of the rascals."

"And would you mind telling us what Cadger had to tell, Chief?" asked
Frank.

"Not at all, because I'm depending on you boys to help run the thieves
down, if you feel like giving the authorities any assistance," the other
replied, craftily.

Frank's answer was immediate and to the point.

"Of course we'll do anything that's in our power, Chief. Both our
fathers are interested in that bank; and besides, the good name of the
town must suffer if it is wrecked by a wandering band of yeggmen. And we
can understand why you should want to capture the thieves, Chief;
because that's a part of your business. Please tell us what the bank
watchman had to say."

"Then I will, and without any frills, if I can make it that way,"
returned the other earnestly. "Cadger says he was caught napping, not
that he was asleep; but never dreaming of any danger, he stepped over to
the door when he heard a knock and a voice said: 'It's me, Cadger, Mr.
Hedden, the cashier; I forgot some important papers, and have gotten out
of bed to come back for them. Let me in without attracting any
attention, if you can.'"

"What do you think of the smartness of that?" exclaimed Andy. "And so of
course poor old Cadger, who is as honest as the day is long, never
suspected any trick, but went and opened the door a crack?"

"Just what he did," returned the Chief, "and as that side of the bank
was in the shadow he could only see the figure of a man, who slipped in
alongside him. Before he knew what was happening he was being chocked by
a pair of strong hands. Cadger started to struggle but another man must
have joined the first, for he was knocked unconscious by a cruel blow,
that's left his face all bloody and after that he didn't know a thing
for