CHAPTER XXIV 

A CAPTURE AND A SURPRISE 

The others were much astonished by what Tom said, and they could scarcely believe that they had heard aright. 

"Bill Dangler!" cried Sam, but Tom put his hand over his brother's mouth to silence him. Then he nodded vigorously. 

"What would that freight thief be doing here?" questioned Dick, in a whisper. 

"I am sure I don't know. But I am almost certain it was Dangler's voice. If you will remember, it has a certain shrillness to it." 

"Yes, I know that." 

During this talk there were murmurs in the cabin which those outside could not understand. Then the old man came towards the door and slipped a bolt into place. 

"I want you to go away!" he said sharply. "I don't like strangers around here." 

"We won't hurt you, Mr. Derringham," said Dick. "We came to pay you a friendly visit." 

"Wouldn't you like a nice rabbit from us?" asked Tom, bound to get into the cabin somehow. 

"I have no money with which to buy rabbits." 

"We'll make you a present of one," said Sam. 

"I want no presents from anybody. I want you to go away," said the old man, in a high-pitched, nervous tone. 

"Mr. Derringham, don't you remember me?" asked Jack Ness. "I used to buy herbs and watercress from you. I'd like to speak to you for a minute." 

"Who are you?" 

"I am Jack Ness, the man who works over on the Rover farm." 

"The Rover farm!" muttered a voice in the cabin. "Don't let them in! Don't you do it!" 
Who was a thief?
"Bill Dangler!" cried Sam, but Tom put his hand over his brother's mouth to silence him. Then he nodded vigorously. 

"What would that freight thief be doing here?