he way Dick told some of his story. The rest had to
wait until he had shown himself to his parents. Then Mr. and Mrs.
Prescott heard the story, too.

"This isn't really a case for me," said the chief of police. "It's for
the sheriff. I must get him on the 'phone."

The news spread with great rapidity. Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes and all
the other chums of Dick & Co. were on hand by the time that Dick had
finished a belated supper with splendid appetite.

"May I go out on the street with the fellows?" Dick asked his mother.

"Yes; if you'll keep on the lighted parts of the streets," smiled his
mother. "Although I'm not very much afraid of any more trouble
overtaking you when you have all your friends with you."

Later that night a party of sheriff's searchers came upon Driggs, not
far from the old mill site. The fellow, fearing prompt pursuit, had
endeavored to get away, but the pain in his stiffening knee had
prevented his going very far. Ab. Dexter had started with his injured
confederate, but had finally played the sneak and fled. However, Dexter,
too was caught later that night, while endeavoring to board a train two
stations away from Gridley.

Mrs. Dexter, of course, was notified as to what had happened.

For this latest outrage against Dick the rascally pair were not tried.
This was for the very simple reason that Dick would have furnished the
sole evidence for the prosecution, and the law would have required
another witness to corroborate young Prescott's testimony.

However, both men were held as fugitives from justice, for having jumped
their bail on their original trial. Both were now held without bail and
were presently tried before the higher court.

Both were found guilty, of course. As it is the privilege of the court
of resort to impose a heavier punishment than the original one appealed
from, Dexter and Driggs were both sent to jail for a year--the highest
penalty possible under the circumstances.

"That man will bother me worse than ever as soon as he gets out,"
complained Mrs. Dexter to Dick and Dave one day.

"If he finds you," added Dick, by way of a hint.

"If he finds me? What you mean by that?"

"Mrs. Dexter, you're not obliged to live in Gridley. Why don't you slip
away from here, one of these near days, without letting a soul know
where you and your little girl are going. With all your money you could
go to Europe or to the Pacific Coast. At a great distance from here you
can live se