ng many
exciting stories of highwaymen, the most of which had origin in his own
brain.

"Tommy'll have that fellow so scared that he can't sleep!" Sandy
whispered to George.

"Then the fellow shouldn't get scared so easy!"

"I consider it very fortunate for you boys," they heard Katz saying
after a time, "that I came along just as I did. If this country is as
thoroughly infested with robbers and murderers as you seem to think it
is, I may be of service to you before morning."

"Sure!" agreed Tommy. "We may have a battle with outlaws almost any time
now! We're glad you're here to protect us!"

"Of course, one man can't fight a whole regiment," Katz went on rather
boastfully, "but I'll do what I can to protect you in case the camp is
attacked."

"I know you will!" answered Tommy with a sly wink at Sandy. "I knew you
were a brave man as soon as I saw you!"

During the evening the boys taking the lead made by Tommy told numerous
stories of train-robberies and murders in the mountains as they sat
around the campfire. Katz listened attentively to them all and more than
once the lads saw him involuntarily reach a hand back to his pistol
pocket. On such occasions they nudged each other joyfully.

"I wish something would happen tonight," Tommy whispered to Will as they
prepared for bed. "I'd just like to see how this Katz would act under
fire. I've a good mind to make something happen!"

"You'd better cut that out!" replied Will. "The messenger we are waiting
for may be here at any time now and we may have to move camp at any
time. So we want to rest while we can."

"All right!" Tommy answered reluctantly. "I'm just as anxious to get a
good night's sleep as you are."

"Who's going to stay awake?" asked Sandy stepping up to where the boys
were talking.

"I don't think it's necessary for anyone to stay awake," cried Will.

"I don't believe we ought to all sleep at once!" Sandy observed. "Not
with this stranger in the camp, anyway," he added.

"Aw, the stranger's all right!" Tommy exclaimed. "He's a bum Chicago
detective out after some fugitive from justice and he thinks its foxy to
lie about his occupation and his residence. Don't you think I know the
earmarks of a Chicago detective?" he added.

"You ought to, considering the number of times you've been mixed up with
them," laughed Sandy. "You certainly ought to know all about Chicago
detectives."

"What makes you go certain this man is a Chicago detective?" a