increased roar of the
torrent drowned their soft tread. Even before they reached the line of
rocks they detected voices ahead. Tom and Jerry gained the point of
vantage at the same time with Mowry. They cautiously parted the bushes
and peered through. The sight that instantly met their eyes well repaid
Jerry for all his trouble and suffering in the past.

The fast-fading light showed a group of figures standing at the base of
the towering bowlder. They were five in number, Mr. Glendale, Raikes,
Sparwick, and Brick and Hamp.

The lawyer had just taken a bulky packet from his pocket, and was
unrolling the brown paper in which it was wrapped.

"Git ready, men," whispered Mowry. "Here goes."

Then quickly the ambushed party broke from cover. The scene that
followed baffles adequate description. With half-a-dozen weapons trained
upon them, Raikes and Sparwick had no alternative but to submit to
capture. This they did very ungracefully, and with a choice selection of
oaths.

Mr. Glendale dropped the packet of banknotes to the ground--where it was
promptly grabbed by Mowry--and shook hands with Tom in a very eager
manner. As for Jerry, it may be imagined how his appearance affected
Brick and Hamp, who at first thought him a ghost. Then they embraced
him, and cried for very joy. In fact, there was vast excitement all
around, and everybody was happy but the two baffled villains. Mr.
Glendale and the four lads found themselves a little apart from the
others. The lawyer took Jerry and Hamp by the hand.

"My brave boys," he said. "I am heartily glad to meet you, and to thank
you in the name of his parents for the service you have done Brick. You
have saved the money as well, and that, I can assure you, is a great
load off my mind. I felt that Brick's life depended on the payment of
the ransom.

"Brick," he added, "I hope that this will be a lesson to you. You have
seen and experienced the bitter fruits of running away."

"It will, Mr. Glendale," Brick declared, earnestly. "I assure you it
will."

Here the discussion ended, for Mowry and his companions were ready to
start back. It was a dreary journey for Sparwick and Raikes. When the
tavern was reached, they were pinioned, and placed in a room under
strong guard.

Hiram Bobb's resources were taxed to their utmost to provide for all his
guests that night. But he managed to acquit himself with credit. The
rapid eating of the supper that he provided was ample proof of it