the ringleader."

"Don't look so unhappy," chimed in another officer. "Kansas City is a
pretty good town, and we'll give you the time of your life. Theatres and
picture-shows, you know. The road will probably do something handsome
for you. Anyhow, you'll have good living until it is necessary to come
back here to testify."

But even the prospect of going to a theatre--a treat Bob had never
enjoyed while with his guardian--failed to appease him, and his usually
cheerful expression gave way to one of resigned gloom.

Noting this, and desirous of restoring the boy's good spirits, an
officer suggested:

"Let's go over to Kansas City. How'd you like that, Bob?"

"First rate. Then I can get my pass again." And at the prospect of
regaining possession of the precious piece of paper, he grew more
cheerful.

While the detectives were making ready to start, two of their fellows,
who had accompanied the prisoners to the jail, rushed in, exclaiming
almost at the same time:

"We've got the case clinched! One of the four has confessed!"

Just what this meant, Bob did not know, but the news seemed to please
the officers so greatly that their good spirits infected him.

"How'd you work it? Where's the confession? Let's read it!" exclaimed
the detectives who had remained at the station.

"One at a time," laughed the chief of the force. "The confession is
here," and he tapped his coat pocket. "It bears out exactly what our
friend Bob told us."

"But how did you get it?" persisted the others.

"Promised the fellow who was most scared by his arrest a light sentence
if he'd turn witness against his pals. And say, he jumped at the
chance."

"Well, you are in luck, Bob!" declared the officer who had striven to
cheer him up.

"Why?" inquired the boy.

"Because now you won't be obliged to wait for the trial. This confession
and the evidence of the man will do the trick for us."

"Whoopee!" cried Bob, dancing about in delight. "Then I can start for
Fairfax to-night?"

"Just as soon as a through train comes."

This information restored Bob's good spirits, and eagerly he boarded the
special car which was waiting to take the detectives back to Kansas
City.

As the officers discussed the incidents of the capture, one of them
turned to the boy and said:

"Say, you surely are a regular bunch of luck, kid! I'd like to take you
out to the gold regions. I bet you'd tumble into some abandoned mine
that would be worth millions!"