nce to make a dash for liberty.

With a kangaroo leap Teddy was upon him, and Chet, snatching the pistol
from Billie's hand, pointed it threateningly.

"None of that, old chap!" he cried. "You'd better be a good little boy
or you'll get a taste of something worse than prison. Now, then, forward
march, and mind your Ps and Qs."

The Codfish shot a glance at Chet that made the girls shiver, but he
went ahead, nevertheless.

"We ought to meet the sheriff and his hick policemen pretty soon," said
Chet, keeping his eyes and his pistol fixed unwaveringly on the
captive's back, while Teddy gripped his arm with both hands and the
girls crowded close behind. "He pulled off this stunt last night, and
Captain Shelling, the owner of our school, sent us to town to notify the
police."

"Oh," said Billie thoughtfully. "So that was where you were going this
morning when you stopped at the Hall. What's that?" she added as the
sound of voices, somewhat muffled by the storm, reached them.

"I hope it's the sheriff," said Teddy, hurrying his captive forward
through the snow. "Say, I'm glad we caught this fellow now before he had
a chance to make off with what he stole. We may have a chance of getting
it back."

They turned a curve in the road and saw a party of half a dozen men
coming toward them on a run.

"The sheriff!" yelled Teddy. "Here's some more luck."

But the sheriff's party seemed almost more surprised at sight of the
hundred-odd girls from Three Towers Hall than they were delighted to see
the boys and their captive.

They were more interested in the Codfish, however, and promptly took him
into custody, exchanging real handcuffs for the strap the boys had used.

The boys eagerly told the story of his capture, giving the girls more
credit for their part of it than they deserved, or so the latter
protested, and the sheriff and his party listened with delighted grins.

"Pretty good work," said one of them approvingly. "You couldn't have
done any better if you'd planned it. Well, good day to you, and thanks.
We'll soon put this rascal where he won't do more stealing of other
people's goods. Get up there, will you?" and he gave the sullen Codfish
a push that sent him staggering up the road in front of them.

Before the party disappeared the sheriff turned once more to look back
curiously at the girls and boys who were still standing in the road,
staring after them.

"Well, I'll be jiggered, but that is curious," he s