“Let me up, and I'll see if I can find the money for you.”

“I thought I'd bring you to terms,” said the tramp, laughing grimly.

He allowed his victim to rise, as he certainly would not have done if he had looked behind him and seen the two boys at the window.

“Now's our time,” answered Philip.

He gave a light spring into the room, followed by Frank.

Of course, the tramp heard them, and turned in sudden alarm. As he turned, the farmer snatched the club from his hand, and he found himself unexpectedly unarmed and confronted by three enemies.

“It's my turn now,” said Lovett. “Do you surrender?”

The tramp saw that the game was up and made a dash for the open window, but Philip skillfully inserted a stick between his legs, and tripped him up, and, with the help of Mr. Lovett, held him, struggling desperately¹, till Frank fetched a rope, with which he was securely bound.

“Confound you!” he said, scowling² at the two boys. “But for you I would have succeeded and got away with my booty.”

“That's true!” said the farmer. “I owe my escape from robbery, and, perhaps, bodily injury, to you.”

“I am glad we were at hand,” said Philip.

“And now, my friend,” said the farmer, “I may as well say that you were quite mistaken in supposing I kept a large amount of money in this lonely house. I should be a fool to do it, and I am not such a fool as that.”

“Where do you keep your money, then?” growled³ the tramp.

“In different savings-banks. I am ready to tell you, for it will do you no good.”

“I wish I'd known it sooner. I came here on a fool's errand.”

“I am glad you have found it out.”

“Now, what are you going to do with me!”

“Keep you here till I can deliver you into the hands of the law.”

“That won't do you any good.”

“It will give you a home, where you cannot prey⁴ on the community.”

“I don't mean to do so any more. I'm going to turn over a new leaf and become an honest man—that is, if you'll let me go.”

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