have a clever mind. Yes, undoubtedly Jules has come
back for the loot."

"And then," Frank went on, steadily; "just by accident he happened to
hear our propellers buzzing, and looking up recognized the two boys who
had so much to do with his being nabbed last summer. He couldn't
resist the temptation to have a pot shot at us, hoping to pay the Bird
boys back for their share in his capture."

"Yes, sometimes even the sharpest of them fall down," the head of the
local police continued; "and before we're done with him Jules will
realize that when he allowed himself to give way to temptation he did
the most foolish thing possible, for it puts us on his track, and we'll
get him again. I want to thank you too, Frank, because you see, there
will be quite a little reward paid for the recapture of so notorious a
convict as Garrone."

"Oh! you're quite welcome, sir," replied Frank. "I was just thinking
whether, if that was Jules, and he saw that his shot did no damage, he
mightn't decide to pay us a visit in the night, and try some more funny
business."

"Well, now, I wouldn't put it past him a particle, Frank," remarked the
Chief, promptly; "and if I were in your place I'd be on my guard. He
might try to steal your new biplane I've heard them talking about; or
even burn down your whole outfit. Better get a gun, and keep watch.
He's fair game, you know, if so be you catch him prowling around after
dark. An escaped convict hasn't any rights in the eye of the law."

"I wouldn't like to be the one to shoot him," Frank observed; "but if
he came around as you say, I'd want to be in a position to defend my
property, and give him a good scare."

The Chief asked a lot more questions, which Frank answered as well as
he was able. He could see that he had stirred the police head greatly,
and that before long all the available men on the force would be making
for the direction of the Powell woods, bent on rounding up the lurking
Jules, if so be it had been him, as seemed so probable now.

Frank had left his chair and started for the door, when something
chanced to strike him, so that he turned back.

"I don't suppose now, Chief, you happen to know the two gentlemen who
blew into Bloomsbury yesterday in a touring car, and are perhaps
quartered at the hotel here. They go by the names of Mr. Marsh and Mr.
Longley?"

"I understood that two gents did put up there; but I saw them go off
this morning in their car, and supposed