Chapter XVI: Conclusion

At sight of the Big Six they halted, while in their rear came MacLester and Paul, with Mr. Feeney looking over their shoulders in sheer amazement at what his eyes beheld. Noting Worth's and Phil's disordered attire and the bound, somewhat bruised captive inside the tonneau, the foremost man came forward, saying to the two lads:

"Well, well! I guess you have saved us some trouble, you boys!" He waved a hand at his partner. "Permit me to introduce self and partner. We're from Buffalo, plain clothes detectives, secret service. McPherson is my name; Westcott that of my partner. We already know yours through Mr. Rack, of Syracuse. Guess you know him. This man," pointing at Quinn, "and the other chap inside have been wanted some time for illegal coinage. After putting them under guard we will visit that old Tavern for further proofs. What's this?"

"It's what that man Quinn was trying to lug off when we took him. Before that they had stolen our car--" This from Billy.

"I know, I know! And you got this, did you? Pretty good!" McPherson had opened the valise, disclosing tools, dies, bars of metal and numerous coins. "We were at Midlandville. Heard of you there. Also got wind of these chaps and the old Tavern, and, prompted by Rack, we hurried along, fearing you lads might alarm them, inadvertently of course. But you have done well, remarkably well! There's a thousand reward out for them and it looks as if you four boys will have decidedly the best claim."

Meantime Westcott, assisted by Feeney, who greeted the two lads effusively, carried in Quinn to join his comrade under strict guard.

"Are you not entitled to that reward, Mr. McPherson?" asked Phil at length.

"No, sir. Not if anyone else does more than we in apprehending them. It looks now as if you four and perhaps Feeney and his folks will be entitled to all there is in it."

It may be said here that after all was over, the boys insisted that the Feeneys should share proportionately in the reward. It did Phil good to see the delight which these humble, hard working folks felt in what the third of that reward might do for them. They needed it and were glad to get it besides being grateful to our boys for being so generous.

Three days later the Big Six rolled smoothly into Lannington once more. Glad indeed were the Auto Boys to see again the dear home faces and receive the sweet home greetings. "And also, and likewise," said Mr. Paul Jones, "home cooking beats the world!"

A number of weeks later the boys read of Adam W. Kull being sentenced to serve seven years in prison, while Grant Coster received a sentence of two years. Thus vividly reminded of their adventures, the friends renewed a former effort to learn how Scottie had happened to appear in Lannington, their own home city. They could not, though it was evident that the dog, always even humanly fond of automobiles, had followed some car there.

Phil and Billy were now preparing to enter college. Dave was already occupying a steady position in his father's shop and Paul was about to take up engineering in a school near home. Slowly but surely the almost unbroken companionship of years' duration was encroached upon by the demands the days were bringing. The boys were growing older. But I know there were still no pleasanter hours for any of them than when, on holidays and of an evening, they sometimes met again at the little green and yellow garage under the whispering elms.

THE END

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rider Agents WANTED

Boys and young men everywhere are making good money taking orders for "Ranger" bicycles and bicycle tires. You are privileged to select the particular style of Ranger bicycle you prefer: Motorbike model, "Arch-Frame," "Superbe" "Scout," "Special," "Racer," etc. While you ride and enjoy it in your spare time hours--after school or work, evenings and holidays--your admiring friends can be easily induced to place their orders through you.

Factory to Rider.

Every purchaser of a Ranger bicycle (on our factory-direct-to-the-rider sales plan) gets a high-grade fully guaranteed model direct from the factory at wholesale prices, and is privileged to ride it for 30 days before final acceptance. If not satisfied it may be returned at our expense and no charge is made for the use of machine during trial.

Choice of 44 Styles. Colors and Sizes in the Ranger line

Delivered to You FREE

We prepay the delivery charges on every Ranger from our factory in Chicago to your town and pay the return charges to Chicago if you decide not to keep it. If you want to be a Rider Agent or if you want a good bicycle at a low price, write us to-day for the big free Ranger Catalog, wholesale prices, terms and full particulars.

Parts For All Bicycles

In the Ranger catalog you will find illustrated bicycle cranks, cups, cones, sprockets and a complete Universal Repair Hanger and Repair Front Forks designed to fit any and every bicycle ever manufactured in America. Complete instructions are given so that any boy can intelligently order the parts wanted. You will also find repair parts for all the standard makes of hubs and coaster-brakes and all the latest equipment and novelties.

Tires at Factory Prices Share with us our savings in Trainload Tire Contracts and in the Samson, Record and Hedgethorn Tires get the best Tire values in America at Wholesale Factory Prices.

Send No Money But write us TO-DAY for the Big Ranger Book and particulars of our 30 Day Free Trial Plan, wholesale prices and terms.

MEAD CYCLE COMPANY

Dept. H 211 CHICAGO, U.S.A.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMER SNOW AND OTHER FAIRY PLAYS By GRACE RICHARDSON

Finding there is a wide demand for plays which commend themselves to amateurs and to casts comprised largely of children. Miss Richardson, already well and widely known, has here given four plays which, are unusually clever and fill this need. They call for but little stage setting, and that of the simplest kind, are suited to presentation the year around, and can be effectively produced by amateurs without difficulty.

CLOTH BINDING . . . $1.00

PUCK: IN PETTICOATS By GRACE RICHARDSON

Five plays about children, for children to play--Hansel and Gretel, The Wishing Well, The Ring of Salt, The Moon Dream, and Puck in Petticoats. Each is accompanied by stage directions, property plots and other helpful suggestions for acting. Some of the plays take but twenty minutes, others as long as an hour to produce, and every one of the five are clever.

CLOTH BINDING . . . $1.00

HANDY BOOK OF PLAYS FOR GIRLS By DOROTHY CLEATHER

Not one of the six sparkling plays between these covers calls for a male character, being designed for the use of casts of girls only. They are easily, effectively staged--just the sort that girls like to play and that enthusiastic audiences heartily enjoy.

CLOTH BINDING . . . $0.50

End of Project Gutenberg's The Auto Boys' Vacation, by James A. Braden