and swung about to the transmitter.

"Anything in your house a fellow could carry off in a pocket,
Hampton?" he said. "Because the boys tell me there is a thief in it
right now, and we're going up to try to catch him."

"I don't think so," said Mr. Hampton, and then added in a tone of
alarm: "Great guns, Temple, yes. There is. There's a duplicate list
among my papers that the Octopus would give anything to obtain
possession of. It's a list of the lessees out here in the oil fields
who have joined the independents."

"All right, Hampton," said Mr. Temple, "we're off."

Removing the headpiece, he hurried Bob back into the power house.
There he ordered Tom to switch off the motor, lock up and follow them.
Then accompanied by the boys and with Old Davey trotting alongside to
keep up, he started in swift strides for the Hampton house, which
could be seen above the intervening tree tops, about a quarter of a
mile away.

"I thought you came out from town for a little peace and quiet, Dad,"
said Bob. "You're certainly getting it, aren't you? Hey. There he
goes." And with a shout, Bob started running swiftly toward the figure
of a man who had just emerged from the open cellar door at the rear of
the Hampton house.