“I don’t really need or want you along with me, Dave,” Dick murmured as soon as the three boys were out of sight of the others.  “What I wanted was a chance to talk to you.  Amos Garwood must be held, if necessary, until we can find some men to seize him and turn him over to the authorities.  Be careful and tactful with him, but don’t let him get away from you.  The other fellows will help you, if necessary.  I’m taking Greg with me, just so that Greg may run in one direction and I in another, in case we don’t find help easily.  But you get back and help Tom and the others.  Of course you won’t lay hands on Amos Garwood unless it becomes necessary, but in any case don’t let him get away from you.  Now, hurry back, for, if Garwood suspects, and shows fight, it will take all four of you to hold him.  But if you all talk naturally and pleasantly, I don’t believe he will be suspicious, or make any effort to get away.”

Dave nodded, turning back, while Dick and Greg hastened to the road.  Barely had they turned into the highway, when, a short distance, ahead, they espied a boy standing under a tree.

“There’s Ted, and he has Martin’s clothes with him,” called Dick quietly.  “Let’s hurry up to him and get him to take the clothes back.”

“A precious lot I care whether Hi Martin ever has any clothes again,” Greg retorted.

“Oh, well, Greg, there’s such a thing as a joke, and there’s such a thing as carrying it too far.  Hi Martin has had his dose of punishment already.  We can afford to be decent and let up on him now.  Hi, there, Ted!”

Teall looked as though uncertain whether to run or to stand.

“Don’t be afraid, Ted,” Dick called pleasantly.  “A joke is all right, and we admit that it was on us.”

So Ted, after a first start of suspicion, decided to remain where he was.

“Hi Martin sent you after his duds, I reckon?” inquired Ted as the other two boys ran up to him.  All of Hi’s apparel lay on the ground near Teall’s feet.

“He certainly wanted some one to come,” laughed Dick.  “But, say, Teall, the thing has been rubbed in too hard.  Run back with the things.  You’ll find all hands where you hid our things.”

“And I’ll find the crazy man there, too, maybe,” ventured Teall.  “Also, I’ll run right into a gang that is just waiting to trim me.  I thank you kindly, but if any one is to go back into that crowd with Hi’s things, it will be some one else.  I won’t go—–­too much regard for my health, you know.”

“Greg, you carry Hi’s clothes back,” urged Dick.  “I’ll take Ted with me.”

“I will not,” flared Greg in open revolt.

“Be a good fellow,” begged Dick.

“That’s all right,” grumbled Greg Holmes.  “But I’m no valet to any North Grammar boy.

“If you fellows won’t either of you do it,” protested Dick, “I’ll have to do it myself, and—–­oh, dear!  I’m in such a hurry to get help to take care of Garwood.”