.

"Wait until I put up the shutters and lock the door," directed his
father. "Then we'll all go upstairs."

Gathered on the floor above, the Prescotts listened in amazement to what
their son narrated.

"Why, I never heard of so much happening before in one day," gasped Mrs.
Prescott.

"It never happened to me, before, anyway," laughed Dick. "However, I
hope I've brought home a good excuse for being out a little late."

"Dick," broke in his father solemnly, "the next time any such train of
events happens you have my permission to be out until--let me see. Well,
say, until quarter of ten. But don't let such things happen too often.
And now, to bed with you!"

"Dick is not going to bed just yet," interposed his mother. "A boy who
has been as active as he has to-night is bound to be hungry. Come with
me to the pantry."

CHAPTER VIII

TWO ACCIDENTS--OR TRAPS?

Before Gridley left its breakfast tables the following morning Dick
Prescott and his chums were rather famous.

For the editor of the "Blade" had played up the Dexter abduction for the
big local story in the morning's issue.

Dick saw it, of course, and felt a curious thrill when he saw his own
name in big block type. The names of Dave and Greg were also there.

"I'll read the yarn to you while you eat," smiled his father. "This is a
great day for you, lad. You're tasting, for the first time, the
sensation of looming large in the public eye."

Dick read the story over twice for himself before starting for school.
Yet the first thrill was missing.

"Pshaw! Len Spencer, or someone, has made a hero tale out of a boys'
lark," muttered the Grammar School boy. "It sounded fine, at first, but
that just shows how ready a fellow is to believe he's smarter than other
folks. Whee! But we'll get a choice lot of teasing out of the fellows at
school to-day!"

Prescott was glad, that morning, that he contrived to pick up Dave and
Greg on the way to school.

"Get yourselves braced," Dick warned his friends. "All the fellows will
be out to roast us for being 'heroes.' Oh, we'll catch it."

No sooner had the three turned the corner that led down to the school
than one of their class-mates "spotted" them.

"Here come Dick & Co!" roared the discoverer. "Turn out! Give 'em a
welcome! Dick & Co.--lost children trapped and trained! See the real,
bony-fido heroes! 'Ray! Now, then, altogether--_ouch!_"

The spouter found himself suddenly flat on his back on th