Chief Bates cleared his throat. With a twinkle in his eye, he remarked, “They have been giving me a cock and bull story about a gang of counterfeiters.”
“Well, it just happens to be true,” announced Mr. Grey.
For a short while there was silence, as though they were all overcome by the government man’s statement. “Is it the Moonshine Charlie gang?” asked Jim Spencer.
“That’s right,” answered Mr. Grey. “And I’m here to ask you for ten men to round up the gang.”
“Jim,” said the chief, addressing his detective, “round up ten men and get them ready. What else, Mr. Grey?”
“Nothing else,” he answered. “That is, for the present.” Addressing the boys, he said, “Well, fellows, how do you think we ought to go about it? But before we discuss that, may I know who you are?”
Paul rose. “My name is Paul—Paul Morrison. And I’m glad to know you, Mr. Grey.”
“Thank you. You fellows have done some very good work.”
“And this is Jack Stormways,” introduced Paul.
The two shook hands. Jack remarked, “I’m not going to say I’m glad to know you, but rather glad to meet you. After having followed you so much, I think I know you by now.”
Mr. Grey smiled. “Yes,” said Mr. Grey, “you have followed me around a great deal and rather expertly, too.”
“Thank you,” said Jack, grinning with pleasure.
The two shook hands. “Now,” said Mr. Grey, “how are we going to finish the job and capture the gang? What’s your idea, fellows?”
Paul said, “I guess you ought to know that better than any of us. We will leave that to you.”
“May we go along? I’d like to be in on it.”
Mr. Grey and the chief exchanged glances. The chief shook his head. “It’s going to be dangerous,” remarked Mr. Grey.
“Any more dangerous than what we have already done?” asked Jack.
“There may be shooting. And you might get hurt.”
“I guess we could keep out of the way. We might keep in the background.”
“Well,” conceded Mr. Grey, “if the chief has no objections, I’ll get you into action somehow.” The chief shrugged his shoulders. “After all,” he commented, “who am I to deny them their fun?”
Just then, Detective Spencer returned to the office and announced that everything was ready. “I’ll tell you what you can do first, boys. Suppose Paul and Ken and two officers go down to the grocery store at Jones Street and arrest Harriman, the grocery man. If he isn’t in the store, he is upstairs, in the first room on your right.”