of papers.

"Why don't you say we stole those, too?" snarled the tall prisoner.

"Well, didn't you?" asked the constable sarcastically.

"No, we didn't," was the sullen reply. "We found them in an open road
near a bridge----"

"A bridge!" interrupted Teddy, pricking up his ears. "Let's see them."

They spread out the papers. They were greasy and dirty from long
carrying, but the boys' hearts leaped as they saw on them the name of
Aaron Rushton.

They looked at each other. Then they shouted.

"Hang out the flags!" cried Teddy. "Fire the cannon! Ring the bells!
Say, Fred, is this our lucky day, or isn't it?"

"You bet your life!" gloated Fred. "What is the nearest way to the
telegraph station?" he asked, turning to the constable.

The officer told him.

"Can't get the news home quick enough, eh?" he laughed good-naturedly.
"Well, I don't wonder. And when you see your folks, tell 'em I said
they're lucky to have such a pair of kids."

It was rather an excited, jumbled message that reached the Rushton home
that night, but it made Mr. Rushton's eyes kindle with pride, while his
wife's were wet with happy tears. Old Martha strutted about, glorying in
the vindication of her "lambs," and Uncle Aaron so far forgot himself as
to clap his brother on the shoulder and say:

"Fine boys, Mansfield, fine boys!"

Then, as though he had said too much, he added:

"I knew that Rally Hall would be the making of them."

After the telegram had been sent, the Rushton boys started back for
Rally Hall. They had had the most strenuous kind of a day, but all their
weariness was forgotten in the glorious ending that had been brought
about.

"It's a long lane that has no turning," remarked Fred, as they rode
along through the darkness. "Those fellows got away from us twice, but
they couldn't do it again."

"It was the third time and out for them, all right," jubilated Teddy.
"Say, Fred, can't you see the folks at home when they get that telegram?
Perhaps they're reading it this blessed minute."

"I guess we've squared ourselves with Uncle Aaron," chuckled his
brother.

"You mean I've squared myself," corrected Teddy. "He never had very much
against you, except that you always stood up for me when I got into
scrapes."

"He'll put it all up to Dr. Rally and the splendid discipline of the
school," said Fred.

"I suppose so," assented Teddy. "But we don't care where the credit
goes, as long as he gets back his watch and pape