"Here comes Andy, and he looks as if he has enjoyed his supper first-rate, too," Rob remarked. "I hope he doesn't let them get him into conversation for an entering wedge. I forgot to warn him about that."
Apparently Andy was wise enough on his own account to know the folly of such a move, as he pushed past the two men, paying no attention even when one of them plucked at his sleeve.
"One more hour and we'll be there, the conductor told me," he announced.
"Then we must be about on time, according to the schedule," said Hiram, who had worn his time-table almost to shreds by consulting it so often on the long journey from New York City.
They proceeded to get all their belongings in shape, so there would be nothing to delay them, once the station was reached. Rob had decided to take a carriage to the Hotel Alexandria, and thus avoid all possible contact with strangers.
When the porter announced that they were entering Los Angeles there was considerable confusion, as passengers caught up such of their hand luggage as had not been already piled near the door by the porter.
Rob had resolutely declined to let the negro touch his suitcase, though his liberal tip to the man made him eager to be of some assistance. The boy knew that at this point there was apt to crop up a crisis; and also that the good record held up to that time might be shattered through any carelessness on his part.
Consequently, he held fast to his grip as he followed Hiram out of the car, this mode of procedure having all been settled upon beforehand. It gave Rob a chance to keep his eagle eye on the figure of Hiram; and so long as he was able to do that he did not believe the other could be spirited away, or his pocket picked.
"Look out for getting in a crush, Hiram," Rob whispered in the other's ear as they passed along the narrow corridor.
"They went out ahead of us, Rob," Hiram informed him, as he turned his head.
"Yes, I know that, but we're going to run up against those men again before we are out of this scrape," the scout leader prophesied.
"Well, I'm awful glad we're in at last. That was a long trip, and I'm tired of the old car," said the one in the lead. "Thank goodness we'll soon be landed in San Francisco, where my business can be settled, one way or the other."
"I see them, Rob!" announced Andy, just then.
"Yes, and they're waiting for us, just as I thought," ventured Rob.
"We'll push straight on to where we can get a carriage, and then leave them in the lurch. Above all, nobody must stop to talk; keep walking, and stick together!"
"That's understood, Rob!" came from Hiram; while Andy in the rear gave a grunt as if to signify that he had it all fixed in his mind.
There was a lively scene as friends rushed this way and that to find those for whom they were waiting; and as the three scouts walked steadily along in line, headed for the exit where the carriages were to be found, the two men suddenly appeared alongside them.
"Sorry to bother you young fellows," said the tall man, in a low but commanding voice, "but we are United States marshals, and you must consider yourselves bound to come with us, for you are under arrest!"
CHAPTER IX.
TURNING THE TABLES ON TWO ROGUES.
"Arrested! Oh! my stars!" ejaculated Hiram, falling to trembling when he felt the hand of the tall stranger drop heavily upon his shoulder.
"Whew! this is a warm reception to California for a fact!" burst out Andy, in considerable consternation, as he dropped his bundles, and stood there staring at the two mysterious men.
Rob, too, was somewhat staggered at the abrupt accusation, though he quickly rallied his senses, and found his tongue.
"Where's your warrant for doing this?" he demanded of the shorter man, who immediately flipped back his coat to disclose some sort of nickel badge pinned to his vest, not giving Rob enough time to make it out.
"We don't need any warrant, being in the service of the Government," this worthy assured him in as gruff a tone as possible.
"But who do you take us for, and what are we accused of doing?" asked Rob, continuing to keep a firm grip on his suitcase through it all, though he allowed his eyes to rove around in search of a policeman.
"Never mind about that, my boy; you will find it all out after we have arraigned you before the United States Commissioner. We've been watching your party for some time, and believe we've bagged the right birds. Now, for your sake, we don't want to make a scene, so we'll just lock arms with you, and pass out of the station that way to take a vehicle. If you know what's good for you, pay no attention to any one; and if you attempt to escape, remember, we're prepared to shoot."
The tall man at that eagerly thrust a hand through the left arm of Hiram, who made no resistance. Rob, even in that exciting moment, noticed that he had managed to get on the side nearest the pocket where the inventor had placed his valuable papers, now snugly reposing on Rob's person. It was very significant, to say the least; and Rob began immediately to discover what Hiram would have called "the nigger in the woodpile."
"Come on, then, boys," said Rob, "we're in for it, and there's no need of kicking up any disturbance. We'll go before the Commissioner and prove our innocence."
"That's right sensible of you, young fellow!" declared the shorter man, as he took hold of Rob's arm and escorted him along.
Other people were pushing past, but were so busy with their own affairs that they did not seem to pay any attention to the little drama being enacted on the station platform.
A minute later and Rob believed the time had come to act.
"Not that way, son; we're meaning to take a carriage over here," said the tall man, designating the opposite direction to that in which Rob had turned.
"Please yourselves, gentlemen," said Rob, suddenly displaying quite a different manner. "We've decided that _we_ want to go out this way; and that policeman standing there has his eye on us this very minute. I think I had better call him over and ask him to get you to show your colors."
"That's the stuff!" said Andy, recklessly, all the pent-up indignation that had been boiling within him breaking loose.
Had a bomb fallen near them, the two men could not have shown more concern. They must have realized that their shrewd little game had been called.
"Guess we've made a mistake about this business, McGuire!" said the short man, hastily looking around him as though desirous of discovering a good opening for flight.
"Seems that way to me, Colonel; and we'll say good-by to you, boys!"
"Why, they've gone!" cried Andy, as though he could hardly believe his eyes.
Rob had really been on the point of summoning the officer standing there; but since the rascals had chosen to run and mingle with the out-pouring crowd, and Rob did not wish to have attention called to himself and chums, he wisely held his tongue.
Hiram was laughing to himself as though it struck him in the light of a good joke.
"What ails you, Hiram?" asked Andy, not yet able to grasp the situation sufficiently to see the humorous side of it.
"I'm only wondering what they'll say when they come to find out how they've been so badly sold, that's all," replied the inventor, again indulging in one of his laughing fits.
"Did they get it?" demanded Rob, instantly, guessing that there was a reason for all this hilarity on the part of the other chum.
"Oh! he slicked it out of my pocket the cutest way you ever saw," replied Hiram. "I felt his hand going in, so I held my breath to give him all the chance I could; and he did it, too, sure he did!"
"Got the papers, you mean, don't you, Hiram?" asked Rob.
"The dummy you made up for me, Rob."
Then both the others had occasion to smile broadly.
"Hope they'll enjoy reading those letters the boys wrote me while we were over in Europe last fall," Rob remarked.