He and Rector made the
capture."
"You two younkers caught that man?" wondered the lieutenant.
"Yes, sir," replied Tad modestly. "But I'll admit that it was a
pretty tough job. He nearly got us."
"Tell me about it."
Tad did so briefly, making as little of his own achievement as possible.
He related also, how the prisoner had gained possession of Professor
Zepplin's revolver and of the latter's narrow escape from death.
"Boys, you've done a big thing. The captain will be interested in
you," said Mr. Withem. "He's been wanting this man for a long time."
"You haven't told us who the fellow is, yet," reminded Professor
Zepplin.
"He is Dunk Tucker, sir, one of the most dangerous customers infesting
the border. We have been on his trail for weeks, but he's managed to
give us the slip every time. We never expected to capture him alive.
We expected to have to shoot him on sight, which we probably would
have done."
"Is it possible?" murmured the professor. "I did not suppose such
conditions existed on the border at this late day."
"They do not, ordinarily."
"What has the man Tucker done?"
"Done? It would be easier to tell you what he hasn't done. He's
committed pretty nearly every crime in the calendar and some that
aren't in the almanac. He is one of a band of thieves that has been
operating on the border for months. They are smugglers and thieves.
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