CENE FOLLOWS ON THE BEACH AND THE THREE ROGUES GET
WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED--A GREAT SURPRISE.

"My dear," said our hero, turning to his companion, "just hear these
awful men! Did you ever hear anything like it? Why, they are really
impertinent. Come, dear, we will go away and not talk with them further.
It's a disgrace to be seen in their society a minute. Some of our
friends might see us talking to these men and think they were our
friends. Just to think of it!"

The three men laughed, and the leader mimicked:

"Yes, just to think of it! but see here, mister pickpocket, you can't
work your high airs on us. I see you won't shell out, so we will just
take you."

"Yes, in the water," said one of the men. "We'll duck him first, just to
soften down his cheek a bit."

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" said the leader.

"Yes, sure; the idea of him puttin' on airs, eh! yes, let's duck him."

"All right, comrade, it's as you say."

"Why, hear the horrid men," said Oscar. "Maybe they think it is a great
joke to try and scare us, but we don't scare; do we, my dear?"

Cad did look as though she was almost scared out of her wits, and we
desire to call our readers' attention to the courage and nerve of both
the detectives in daring for one moment to think of meeting those three
great burly men.

"Say, young fellow, just hand over the swag you've stolen so we can
return it to the owner and we'll let you off. I've a list of the
articles: a watch, some diamonds and money. We don't want to be hard on
you. Peel out the stuff and we'll let you off; won't we, comrades?"

"I don't know about that. I think we should do our duty," said one of
the men.

"Well, yes, but seein' they're having such a good time I haven't the
heart to put them in jail."

"Just as you say, captain, just as you say."

"Say, young fellow, will you hand over the swag?"

"He! he! he! really, gentleman, what jokers you are! I know you are very
funny, but I don't understand your jokes; indeed, I don't."

"You don't, eh?"

"No, no; he! he! he!"

"Is it a joke to go to jail?"

"He! he! he! how funny! now I see you want to scare us; but see here, I
don't scare. I can prove that to you, and if you do not go away I shall
be compelled to thrash you."

"What!" ejaculated the three men, giving utterance to real laughter. It
really did sound comical for that apparently slender dude to threaten
to thrash three burly men.

"So you'll thrash us, eh?"