r
plan.

Even as he stood there thinking the great detective and his companions
were entering the automobile to drive away. In a moment they would be
gone. Were they not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to
assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them out. If necessary
he would divide the reward with them! Running toward the road Willie
shouted to the departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low,
came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board.

"If I tell you where the murderer is," he whispered hoarsely, "do I git
the $50.00?"

Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even the most seemingly
impossible of aids. He laid a kindly hand on Willie's shoulder. "You bet
you do," he replied heartily, "and what's more I'll add another fifty to
it. What do you know?"

"I seen the murderer this mornin'," Willie was gasping with excitement
and elation. Already the one hundred dollars was as good as his. One
hundred dollars! Willie "Goshed!" mentally even as he told his tale. "He
come to our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw didn't know who
he wuz; but when Paw went inside he told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid
'n' thet he robbed a house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a
whole pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told."

Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he listened to this
wildly improbable tale, yet his professional instinct was too keen to
permit him to cast aside as worthless the faintest evidence until he had
proven it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and motioning
to Willie to follow him returned to the Case yard where Jeb was already
coming toward the gate, having noted the interest which his son
was arousing among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the
detective's sleeve. "Don't tell Paw about the reward," he begged; "he'll
keep it all hisself."

Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, and then as he neared
Jeb he asked him if a young man had been at his place that morning
asking for food.

"Sure," replied Jeb; "but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. One o' these here
summer camper pests. He paid fer all he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big
as ye fist. Little feller he were, not much older 'n' Willie."

"Did you know that he told your son that he was The Oskaloosa Kid and
that he had robbed a house and killed a man last night?"

"Huh?" exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one awful look at
Wi