"Oh, cut it out, you old goat, and don't bother me!" snapped Bunch,
just as I joined them.

"A dangerous maleyfactor," said Diggs to me, as he tightened his
grip on Bunch's arm; "but they ain't no call for you to assist the
course of justice, because if the dern critter starts to run I'll
pump him chuck full of lead. He's been a'tellin' me he started on
the downward path to predition as a child-stealer."

"I told you nothing, you old tadpole," shrieked Bunch, unable to
contain himself longer.

"Very well," said Harmony, soothingly, "they ain't no call for you
to say nothin' more that'll incrimigate you before the bar of
Justice. Steady, now, or I'll tap you with this here cane!"

"Brace up, good old sport; I'll get you out of this in a jiffy," I
whispered to Bunch at the first opportunity, and he gave me a
cold-storage look that chased the chills all over me.

Presently we arrived at the little brick structure which
Jiggersville proudly called its calaboose, and after much fumbling
of keys, Mr. Diggs opened the jackpot and we all stayed.

The yap policeman was for taking Bunch right back to the donjon
cell in the rear, but with a $5 bill I secured a stay of
proceedings.

My forehead was damp with perspiration so I took off my hat and