Just what this meant, Bob did not know, but the news seemed to please the officers so greatly that their good spirits infected him.
"How'd you work it? Where's the confession? Let's read it!" exclaimed the detectives who had remained at the station.
"One at a time," laughed the chief of the force. "The confession is here," and he tapped his coat pocket. "It bears out exactly what our friend Bob told us."
"But how did you get it?" persisted the others.
"Promised the fellow who was most scared by his arrest a light sentence if he'd turn witness against his pals. And say, he jumped at the chance."
"Well, you are in luck, Bob!" declared the officer who had striven to cheer him up.
"Why?" inquired the boy.
"Because now you won't be obliged to wait for the trial. This confession and the evidence of the man will do the trick for us."
"Whoopee!" cried Bob, dancing about in delight. "Then I can start for Fairfax to-night?"
"Just as soon as a through train comes."
This information restored Bob's good spirits, and eagerly he boarded the special car which was waiting to take the detectives back to Kansas City.
As the officers discussed the incidents of the
