ice head-quarters in order to find out if the detectives had
learned anything about the team.

Greater good fortune awaited them here than they had thought possible,
for when they returned the officers furnished them with the complete
description of the men, and reported that they had, indeed, driven into
Bradford the afternoon before, but, during the night, had returned by
the same road they had come, stating that they were going to Babcock.

CHAPTER XV.

THE ARREST.

It was evident, from the information brought by the police, that the men
who had stolen Harnett's team had driven to Bradford simply for the
purpose of deceiving any one who might search for them, and that they
would push on into New York State, where they might find a better
opportunity of disposing of their ill-gotten property.

Under the circumstances there was nothing the boys could do save return
by the road they had come, and, since it was necessary to do this, it
was as well that they should sleep that night in the Kenniston
farm-house as in Bradford, where they would be obliged to spend some of
their small store of money for lodging and breakfast.

As soon, therefore, as they had received from the chief of police all
the information he could impart, they started toward home, neither
nearer nor further from the object of their search.

All that they had done on the way down would have necessarily to be done
over again, in the hope of learning of the thieves on their return, and
no time was to be lost in this second search.

Of course, if the men had started from Bradford in the night, there
would be no use in inquiring for them anywhere between there and some
distance from Sawyer; therefore, the boys decided that they would sleep
at the Kenniston farm that night, recommencing the pursuit at an early
hour next morning.

When they reached the farm-house they found Bob Hubbard awaiting their
arrival; he had come there two hours before, and when, on asking for
George, he was told that the engineer had gone in search of his horses,
had told the farmer that, while he did not intend to remain there during
the night, he would wait for George's arrival, which he was certain
would not be long delayed.

Not knowing Bob's reason for expecting George's return, when it seemed
certain he would be away some time, Farmer Kenniston was considerably
mystified by his guest's manner; but the reason for his thus speaking
was soon explained when, at a