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Even as he stood there thinking the great detective and his co the autoone Were they not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them out If necessary he would divide the reith the sleuth The car, ain to rest Willie leaped to the running board

"If I tell you where the it the 5000?"

Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even the ly impossible of aids He laid a kindly hand on Willie's shoulder "You bet you do," he replied heartily, "and what's more I'll add another fifty to it What do you know?"

"I seen thewith exciteood as his One hundred dollars! Willie "Goshed!" mentally even as he told his tale "He coht some vittles an' stuff Paw didn't knoho he wuz; but when Paent inside he told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid 'n' thet he robbed a house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a whole pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told"

Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he listened to this wildly improbable tale, yet his professional instinct was too keen to permit him to cast aside as worthless the faintest evidence until he had proven it to be worthless He stepped fro to Willie to follow hi toward the gate, having noted the interest which his son was arousing a the occupants of the car Willie pulled at the detective's sleeve "Don't tell Paw about the reward," he begged; "he'll keep it all hisself"

Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, and then as he neared Jeb he asked hi for food

"Sure," replied Jeb; "but he didn't 'mount to nothin' One o' these here suot Had a roll o' bills 's big as ye fist Little feller he were, not much older 'n' Willie"