t," replied Nicolas, "an' I see that
you go alone. I know that you mos' likely run into trouble, an' so I
follow you. Sure enough, Senor, you find trouble---and I heet heem with
my finger!"

"You surely did 'hit him with your finger,' Nicolas," laughed Tom, grasping
the little Mexican's hand and wringing it. "But now come outside. I had
sent for the police to find you, and now I must show them that you are
already found."

Together they went out on the porch. Tom explained the situation.

"Then you don't need us, after all?" asked one of the policemen.

"Not to find Nicolas," Tom Reade admitted. "But do you know Evarts?"

"Used to be your foreman?"

"Yes."

"We know him," nodded the policeman.

"Then," Reade continued, "I wish you would search through Blixton for
him. If you find him, be good enough to lock him up and notify me."

"Is there a warrant out against him?" asked one of the policemen,
cautiously.

"You don't need one," Tom replied. "I will make a charge of felony
against Evarts, to the effect that he is concerned in the outrages
against our wall. On a felony charge you don't need a warrant. Then,
too, try to find the big negro."

"What's his name?"

"I don't know his name," Tom answered. "I've dubbed him 'Sambo Ebony.'
You have the description of him that I wrote out. Arrest Sambo, by all
means, if you can find him, and I'll make a felony charge against him,
too. The negro is the one who has been blowing up the sea wall."

"We'll look for the pair all through the town, Mr. Reade," promised the
officers.

"Do! And, on behalf of the company, I'll offer a two-hundred dollar reward
for the arrest of each man!"

With that prospect to spur them on the policemen hastened away, followed
by the young man with the bloodhound.

"Now, Nicolas," pressed Reade, turning around at the faithful little brown
man, "you tumble back into bed."

"But you, Senor?"

"Don't worry about me. I've probably done all I need to do to-night. I
shall probably sit here on the porch and think until daylight. Then I'll
call Hazelton, and go to bed for a few hours' sleep before I appear in
court against the gamblers and the bootleggers. Go to bed, Nicolas, and
sleep! That's an order, remember!"

The Mexican therefore went to his bedroom without protest. Presently Reade
became aware of the fact that his clothing had not by any means fully
dried. He went to his room, took a vigorous rub-down, donned dr