a welt, but he continued to
struggle, though with decreasing force. Evidently he was becoming
exhausted. Suddenly Worth jerked out his handkerchief, saying at the
same time:

"Gimme yours, Phil--quick!"

Phil not only complied, but resumed holding down the stranger so
effectively that in another minute Worth soon had his legs bound fast
again.

"Now let's drag him back to the car and be off," remarked Phil. "Really
the way that chap acts causes me to feel sure we've made a haul that the
law will more than sanction. Yet I won't feel safe until we have him
back at Feeney's."

The prisoner was lifted in the car where Billy stood over him, with
pistol and the tube club ready for instant use if necessary. Without
further trouble the Big Six sped along the rough roads until at length
Feeney's house was reached. What was their surprise to see another car
drawn up before the yard gate, while two strange men were coming out of
the house, evidently in a great hurry, preparatory to entering their own
machine.

CHAPTER XVI

CONCLUSION

At sight of the Big Six they halted, while in their rear came MacLester
and Paul, with Mr. Feeney looking over their shoulders in sheer
amazement at what his eyes beheld. Noting Worth's and Phil's disordered
attire and the bound, somewhat bruised captive inside the tonneau, the
foremost man came forward, saying to the two lads:

"Well, well! I guess you have saved us some trouble, you boys!" He waved
a hand at his partner. "Permit me to introduce self and partner. We're
from Buffalo, plain clothes detectives, secret service. McPherson is my
name; Westcott that of my partner. We already know yours through Mr.
Rack, of Syracuse. Guess you know him. This man," pointing at Quinn,
"and the other chap inside have been wanted some time for illegal
coinage. After putting them under guard we will visit that old Tavern
for further proofs. What's this?"

"It's what that man Quinn was trying to lug off when we took him. Before
that they had stolen our car--" This from Billy.

"I know, I know! And you got this, did you? Pretty good!" McPherson had
opened the valise, disclosing tools, dies, bars of metal and numerous
coins. "We were at Midlandville. Heard of you there. Also got wind of
these chaps and the old Tavern, and, prompted by Rack, we hurried along,
fearing you lads might alarm them, inadvertently of course. But you have
done well, remarkably well! There's a thousand reward out for th