them surely did
it.

"One Who Knows."
The hotel-keeper read this letter several times and then stuffed it
into his pocket. Then he went into the next room and drew from a
drawer several things wrapped up in a newspaper.

"I am going down to see the squire," he said, to the constable. "You
can come along, if you want to."

"What was in the letter?"

"The names of the rascals who blew up my hotel."

"What! You don't mean it, Jason!"

"Yes, I do."

"Who sent the letter?"

"That's a secret. But come on, we'll talk it over with Squire
Thompson. Ain't no time to waste." And then the hotel man went off to
interview the leading legal light of the town.

The conference at the squire's office lasted the best part of two
hours. At this Jason Sparr produced the contents of the package,
several things picked up near the hotel at the time of the
explosion--a tan glove, somewhat worn, two iron rings, an empty paper
box marked, "L." in one corner, a whip handle, and a clock-like
contrivance which had been used to set off the dynamite. He told of
his trouble with Phil and his chums, of the threats made, and produced
the letter received so mysteriously.

"Looks kind of plain to me, Squire," he said. "Don't you think so?"

"It isn't for me to say," replied the squire, cautiously. "But if you
want to swear out warrants for those boys' arrest----"

"Ain't I justified?"

"Sure you are," put in the constable, who happened to be the squire's
brother-in-law. "I wouldn't waste no time on it." He thought he saw in
this a job for himself, with some fat fees.

"If you have them arrested, you've got to prove your case," said
Squire Thompson, slowly. "It's a serious business, Sparr."

"But this letter says they are guilty."

"Lock 'em up and make 'em confess!" broke in the constable. "Give 'em
the third degree!" he added. He had read something of how city
criminals were occasionally treated and he wished to air his
knowledge.

"I'll do it!" cried Jason Spar. "I'll show 'em they can't insult me
and take away my trade and then try to blow up my hotel! I'll have 'em
all locked up! Then we can examine 'em one by one, and get 'em
tangled up and make 'em confess."

After much trouble, the warrants for the arrest of Phil, Ben, Dave,
Roger, and Buster were made out. The constable wanted to serve them at
once, but it was decided at the last moment to wait until the next
morning,