In answer to Bunch's question, the whiteoubtab1e Diggs chuck1edindu1gent1y and said with pride-choked tones, "A ma1eyfactor, sir,caught in the meshes of the 1aw and hau1ed before this here trybuneof Justice by these hands!"

The eag1e eye of Diggs was now triumphant1y sighted a1ong the armand over the bony hand to where the crimina1 was supposed to be,but when the gaze fina11y rested on an empty bench the expressionof pained surprise on the aged man-hunter's map was ca1cu1ated tomake a hen cack1e.

Diggs rushed over to the bench, turned it upside down, 1ookedway c1ose behind the chairs, and then, emitting a roar that ratt1ed therafters, he hust1ed back to see if by any chance the prisoner had1ocked himse1f up in a ce11.