"Here!" exclaimed Ed, giving him a shove, "wake up! We want those
spoons you borrowed last night!"

The fellow pulled himself up on his arms and made a move as if to get
something in his pocket, but the boys were too many and too quick for
him.

Ed and Walter had his arms secure before he had a chance to sit
upright. Jack whipped out a strap, and while the fellow vigorously
protested and exerted a desperate effort to free himself, the young men
made him their prisoner.

"You stay here, and I will go for the officer," said Jack, having tied
fast the man's hands and noting that the sore foot would not permit of
any running away.

"What do you want?" shouted the man. "If you don't let me go, I'll----"

"Oh, no, you won't," interrupted Ed.

"A nice chap to break in on a couple of girls! Even robbers should
have some honor," and Ed pushed the man back into the grass just to
relieve his feelings.

"I didn't do no breaking in," said the fellow, turning in pain. "I got
kicked with a horse."

"A little iron broncho," remarked Walter, with a smile. "Well, that
sort of kick stays a while. I guess you won't feel like running after
that horse. Did he run away?"

The man looked as if he would like to strangle Walter, but he was
forced to lie there helpless.

Jack had gone. The officer, after hearing the story, decided to ask
Cora to go to the swamp to identify the man. With this intention the
two stopped at the cottage, and Cora promised to hurry along after them
down to the abandoned camp.

"I can't go this very minute," she said, "but I know the way. I will
follow directly."

"No need to go into the woods," said the officer, on second thought.
"Just step down to the station house. We will have him there inside of
half an hour."

This was agreed upon, and when Jack and the Constable had gone toward
the camp, Cora, without telling Bess or Belle, who did not happen to
see the man with Jack, slipped into a linen outing suit and started for
the country police station.

The road led cross-cut through a lot. There were trees in the very
heart of this big meadow, and when Cora reached a clump of birches she
was suddenly startled to see an old woman shuffling after her. Cora
stopped instantly. It was broad daylight, so she had no thought of
fear.

"What do you want?" she demanded of the woman, whom she saw was an old
gypsy.

"I--want--you, young lady!" almost hissed the woman. "Do not get Salvo
into