But even the prospect of going to a theatre—­a treat Bob had never enjoyed while with his guardian—­failed to appease him, and his usually cheerful expression gave way to one of resigned gloom.

Noting this, and desirous of restoring the boy’s good spirits, an officer suggested: 

“Let’s go over to Kansas City.  How’d you like that, Bob?”

“First rate.  Then I can get my pass again.”  And at the prospect of regaining possession of the precious piece of paper, he grew more cheerful.

While the detectives were making ready to start, two of their fellows, who had accompanied the prisoners to the jail, rushed in, exclaiming almost at the same time: 

“We’ve got the case clinched!  One of the four has confessed!”

Just what this meant, Bob did not know, but the news seemed to please the officers so greatly that their good spirits infected him.

“How’d you work it?  Where’s the confession?  Let’s read it!” exclaimed the detectives who had remained at the station.

“One at a time,” laughed the chief of the force.  “The confession is here,” and he tapped his coat pocket.  “It bears out exactly what our friend Bob told us.”

“But how did you get it?” persisted the others.

“Promised the fellow who was most scared by his arrest a light sentence if he’d turn witness against his pals.  And say, he jumped at the chance.”

“Well, you are in luck, Bob!” declared the officer who had striven to cheer him up.

“Why?” inquired the boy.

“Because now you won’t be obliged to wait for the trial.  This confession and the evidence of the man will do the trick for us.”

“Whoopee!” cried Bob, dancing about in delight.  “Then I can start for Fairfax to-night?”

“Just as soon as a through train comes.”

This information restored Bob’s good spirits, and eagerly he boarded the special car which was waiting to take the detectives back to Kansas City.

As the officers discussed the incidents of the capture, one of them turned to the boy and said: 

“Say, you surely are a regular bunch of luck, kid!  I’d like to take you out to the gold regions.  I bet you’d tumble into some abandoned mine that would be worth millions!”

Every one laughed at this comment upon Bob’s good fortune, and the chief added: 

“I hope it sticks by him.  He’ll need all the luck he has if any of those Oklahoma cowboys start in to have fun with him.”

“I guess I will,” smiled Bob.  “Anyhow, a few knocks won’t hurt me.  Mr. Perkins told me all I must look out for was to keep away from the saloon and gambling dens and not to make friends too quickly.”

“Well, if you follow his advice, you’ll get along all right.”

Upon the arrival of the special car at Kansas City, the officers were met by a messenger with instructions to have Bob taken to the offices of the railroad company, as the vice-president wished to talk with him.