devoted himself only to the distribution of
his men, posting them at all the windows and doors. When he was
satisfied that every avenue of escape was covered he turned to Phelan
with the sharp query:

"What's all this, Phelan?"

"I caught them trying to get away with Mr. Gladwin's"----

"Yes, it was by the luckiest chance," broke in Travers Gladwin.

"Is this Mr. Gladwin?" the captain stopped him, curtly.

"No, the other one, captain," replied Phelan, indicating the thief;
whereupon that gentleman bowed.

"Why, captain, I'm--" the real Gladwin started again.

"You've done well here, Phelan," the captain complimented him,
ignoring the young millionaire.

"Thank ye, sorr," blushed Phelan.

"I should say he has done well." The thief came forward, with an
approving nod toward the now ecstatic Officer 666.

"If it hadn't been for him," pursued the thief, "these thieves would
have carried off my pictures. I would suggest, captain, that he be
properly rewarded."

"Thank ye, sorr." Phelan's voice shook with gratitude.

"I'll see that he gets full credit in my report," said Captain Stone
stiffly. "Now, Phelan, you go to the station for the patrol wagon. I
sent it back, as one of the horses threw a shoe and got a bad fall.
Tell the driver to get another horse at Murphy's stable and hurry
back."

"Yes sorr."

Phelan went out, walking on air and humming to himself, "Sergt.
Michael Phelan, no less," utterly forgetful of the sorry plight he was
in not a half hour before.

Travers Gladwin was almost beside himself with chagrin. Again he made
an impassioned plea to be heard.

"Now see here, Captain, _I_ am Travers Gladwin"----

"Oh, you are, eh?" sneered the captain, scarcely deigning to look at
him. "Well, we'll see about that. Where is the little Jap who notified
me of this?"

Bateato had concealed himself behind a heavy piece of furniture and
was yanked out into the open by a burly policeman.

"Here you," growled the captain, shaking his hand at the Jap, "you're
Mr. Gladwin's servant, you said--which one of these men is your
master?"

Bateato locked his teeth together and refused even to smile.

"Which is your master? Answer me!" demanded Captain Stone.

"The poor little devil is frightened to death," interposed the thief
with a commiserating nod toward the Jap. He was playing his bluff to
the limit.

"What scared him like that?" asked the captain.

"Oh, this gang here--some of the others got away--t