mp,
so that his coming from a certain direction might not betray the
hiding-place of the other two.

Great was the astonishment of Allan, and those of the patrol who were
in camp, when a lone figure was seen approaching that they quickly
made out to be Thad. All sorts of possible sources of new trouble
loomed up in their minds; but as the scoutmaster drew nearer, they
were considerably relieved to discover that he was smiling, as though
not worried in the least.

Of course the sheriff and Uncle Artemus had jumped up when the others
did, and observed the coming of the young scoutmaster but with
different emotions. The lawyer only wondered whether this might mean
the surrender of his nephew to the authority invested in the office of
sheriff; but the official himself was engaged in studying the
approaching lad, of whom he had heard so much, and drawing his own
opinion with regard to his character.

"Glad to see you again, Thad!" called out Bumpus.

"That's right, and so says every one of us," echoed Giraffe,
determined not to be left out of any talking-bee, if there was one.

Thad only nodded, and smiled. He walked right over to where Allan stood,
and engaged him in earnest consultation; while the others looked on, not
knowing what to make of this most unexpected turn of events.

Presently Allan turned and called out:

"Would you mind coming over here, Mr. Sheriff; we want to tell you
something that ought to interest you, about this case?"

The shrewd lawyer tried to hang on to the coat-tails of the big
sheriff, as he exclaimed, half threateningly, half pleadingly:

"Don't you go, Sheriff; they want to blarney you into believing their
side of the story. You've got a warrant for the arrest of a vicious
young fellow, even if he is my own nephew, who has robbed me of valuable
papers. You've got to do your sworn duty! Better stay by me, and the
pay'll be sure. I wouldn't mind doubling what I promised, if so be I get
my papers back. And the boy can go hang, for all of me, then."

But the sheriff tore himself loose, and walked over to where the two
earnest-faced scouts were awaiting him. Allan introduced him to the
patrol leader, and from the hearty hand-clasp which the officer
bestowed upon him, Thad felt sure that the case of poor badgered Aleck
Rawson was as good as won, even before he had commenced to do any
persuasive talking.

He began at the start, and related all that Aleck had told him of his
troubles in t