CHAPTER XXVIII. 

HAL IS EXPOSED. 

The moment that Hardwick made his announcement, Parsons sprang to the front door and locked it. 

"Carson!" muttered Allen. "Hardwick, you were right, he is nothing more nor less than a spy." 

When Tommy Macklin saw the face of Hal he grew pale as death. 

"Carson!" he gasped, falling back. 

"What's the matter with you?" demanded Hardwick. 

"Dat's der chap wot followed Ferris ter my house." 

"Followed Ferris. When?" 

"Der night he brung me dat letter from you about dat bus'ness over to der--you know." 

"You are sure?" 

"Sure," repeated Macklin, in deep disgust. "I t'ink I am." 

"How did you happen to catch him?" 

"He was spyin' at der door, same as here. We collared him, and knocked him down. I t'ought he was dead, an' me an' Ferris chucked him in a vat in der cellar of der old pickle factory." 

"Ferris said nothing of this to me," said Hardwick. 

"He was most scared stiff, dat feller was," replied Macklin, disdainfully. "I guess he t'ought he would not say nuthin' ter nobody." 

During this time Hal had not said a word, but now he spoke up. 

"What do you intend to do with me?" he asked. 

"You'll see fast enough," replied Hardwick. "We have got you fast this time. Do you know what I think? I think you are the same fellow that I met in the lumber-yard." 

"And if I am, Hardwick, what of it?" 

"It will go so much the harder with you." 
Who made an announcement
Hardwick made his announcemen