Some other folks now came into the depot, and Arnold Baxter and Buddy lowered their voices, so that Dick and Sam could hear nothing further.

Soon Tom in arrived, followed by the policeman, who looked anxiously at the two men.

“You say they are thieves?” he asked of Dick.

“The short man is.  He stole my watch.”

“What of the other?”

“He is a bad man too —­ although it may be hard to prove it.”

At once the crowd approached the evil pair, and the officer caught Buddy Girk by the arm, “I want you,” he said in a low, firm voice.

The thief turned swiftly, and as he saw himself confronted by Dick and the officer of the law his face fell.

“I ain’t done nothing’!” he cried, and tried to break away, but the officer at once overpowered him and brought forth a pair of handcuffs.

“You’ll put these on,” he said grimly, and spite his protestations Buddy Girk was handcuffed.

“Hold on! “cried Dick, as Arnold Baxter started to run.  He made a clutch for the man, but Baxter was too quick for him and slipped through the crowd and out of the depot.  Instantly Dick made after him.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE RECOVERY OF THE WATCH —­ CONCLUSION

Arnold Baxter hesitated but a moment on gaining the depot platform.  A freight train was passing the station at a slow rate of speed, and, running to an empty car which stood wide open, he leaped on board.

Dick was close behind him, and as the man boarded the freight car caught him by the leg.  As Dick held on like a bulldog there was nothing left for Arnold Baxter to do but to drag the youth up behind him.

“You imp!” he snarled, as the two faced each other on the car floor.  “What do you mean by following me in this fashion?”

“And what do you mean by running away in this fashion?” panted Dick.

“I have a right to do as I please.”

“And so have!”

“You have no right to follow me.”

“That remains to be seen, Arnold Baxter.  I would like to ask you a few questions.”

“Would you, indeed?” sneered the tall man.

“Yes.  I won’t waste words.  Were you and my father enemies years ago?”

At this direct question Arnold Baxter scowled darkly.  “Yes, if you are anxious to know,” he muttered.

“I fancied as much.  You tried to swindle him out of some Western mining property.”

“The boot was on the other leg —­ he tried to swindle me —­ ran off to Africa with my papers, I think, or else left them somewhere where I can’t find them.”

“I do not believe you, for my father was an honest man, while you are the boon companion of a thief.”

“Have a care, boy —­ I won’t stand everything!” snarled Arnold Baxter, his eyes gleaning like those of an angry cat.

“I am not afraid of you, Arnold Baxter.  I shall hand you over to the police at our next stopping place!”