Yet, in such circumstances, a bold front is half the battle.
Prescott bounded forward, boldly, at the same moment turning on
his light.
The next moment, though he held the light, the cane dropped from
his nerveless fingers.
"We've got you, Prescott!" roared a voice. "And you? Of all
the thundering big surprises. But we've got you! Stop all nonsense
and get in line to come along with us."
It was the chief of police, backed by three of his men, whom Dick
now faced. They had thrown their lights on, too, so that there
was now plenty of illumination.
Nor was this Chief Coy, one of Dick's old time friends, but Chief
Simmons, a new man appointed only a few months before.
Chief Simmons was almost frantically anxious to catch the burglar
or burglars, for their continued operations reflected upon his
abilities as the new police chief.
All in a flash young Prescott took in the horrifying idea that
Chief Simmons believed him to be the real burglar.
"But I-----" began Dick chokingly.
"Yes, you will!" retorted Chief Simmons. "You can't put up any
fight, and you can't make any denial."
"I-----"
"Take him, you men, and handcuff him." roared the chief. "Then
we'll go through the rest of the store, and see what we can learn."
Dick drew back, with a shudder, as two of the officers came toward
him, intent on carrying out their chief's order.
"You'd better submit, Prescott," warned the chief sternly.
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