ed. Calling to his
friend, the two gave themselves up, demanding to know why peaceable
citizens should be clubbed when quietly walking along the street.

"We had not uttered a disrespectful word," said the first, "but were
joking together, when that brass-buttoned idiot pounced upon us. We
simply defended ourselves, as every man has a right to do, and we don't
propose to let the matter rest here."

"He lies!" shouted the officer who had fared so ill, as he came forward,
his hat off, and his clothing covered with dust; "he was arranging to rob
the bank; they are the burglars that we've been watching for days; I know
'em all right."

"We shall have to take you along," said the chief, who saw that matters
were considerably mixed.

At this point Ben thought it was his duty to interfere.

"If you will permit me, I am satisfied that some mistake has been made.
These gentlemen did nothing----"

"He's one of 'em," broke in the first officer, whose wrath could not be
appeased; "he's been their dummy; he was on the lookout to give 'em
warning; run him in, too."

Despite Ben Mayberry's protests, he was forced to go with the prisoners;
but on the way to the lock-up he was recognized by several officers,
including the chief, who ordered his release, Ben promising to appear in
the morning at the hearing.

On the morrow several important facts came to light. The two individuals
who had been so roughly used were honest countrymen, whose references to
the robbery of the bank were purely in jest--such a project as burglary
never entering their thoughts.

The policeman who assailed them made a humble apology, and they agreed to
let the matter drop.

Another fact that was established was that the policemen of Damietta were
very much like those of other cities.

The third truth was, that no burglary took place on Thursday night or
Friday morning, and everything was as quiet as the surface of a summer
mill-pond, with the single exception of the incident just narrated.

CHAPTER XXII

THE BATTLE OF LIFE

After all the elaborate preparations for the capture of the burglars, the
whole business had fallen so flat that the officers of the law themselves
laughed at the farcical termination. Nothing criminal was attempted, and
Damietta never was more peaceful in all its history than it was during
the many weeks and months which followed.

And yet, in spite of all this, there could be no question that such a
burglarious sc